Contrary to popular opinion, not every insurance company is out to get you, and it's not every insurance company that will disect the fine-print until they find some way of denying your insurance claim. However, you do need to shop around for the financial products and insurance policies that are the best suited for your individual needs.

That's why insurance policies, and other financial products, from Marks & Spencers are so useful. M&S Finance financial products are, of course, designed to make M+S a profit, but there is no denying that they are also very good value for money, offering many features as standard which you'd often need to pay extra for at other insurance companies.

Take, for example, Household Insurance policies. Usually, UK Household Insurance policies have limits on particular types of items such as freezer contents, garden furniture and outdoor toys, outbuildings or cars, etc. These restrictions are called inner limits. However, the only inner limits on the M&S Finance Household Insurance policy are £500 for cash; £2m for property-owners and personal liability; £10m for domestic employees liability and £40,000 for tenants liability. Even better is the fact that you're likely to pay no more for M&S Finance Household Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Marks & Spenser may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Household Insurance or Car Insurance, but Marks and Spencer do indeed offer a comprehensive selection of financial products, all of which are competitively priced, and all of which you can purchase directly from the M&S Finance website. With a simple, no-hassle service, you can compare features between a number of M+S Money products and competitor's products, and sign up in just a few minutes.

Whether you're looking for savings products or M&S Finance loans, credit cards or Household Insurance - besides a number of other insurance products, M&S Finance can save you both time and money, with comprehensive information available at a click.

Free insurance quotes are available online for all of M&S Finance insurance products (Household Insurance, Car Insurance, Travel Insurance, Wedding Insurance and Pet Insurance), or you may call if you wish to on the telephone number provided. Suffice to say that there is also plenty of information which you can download for each of the M&S insurance products in document format too.

M&S Finance offers a variety of financial and insurance products, but Car Insurance is something that almost everyone needs - at least if you own a car. Unfortunately there are so many companies offering Car Insurance today that, after a while, one policy may begin to look much like the next.

Thinking that most Car Insurance policies are much the same is usually a bad idea. At worst it can be a very expensive mistake - this is when you find out that your Car Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Car Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M&S Finance Car Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Car Insurance to the competition then it stacks up quite nicely.

For example, here are just some of the options which come as standard with Marks and Spencer 5 Star Premier cover Car Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Car Insurance plans from companies such as Direct Line, Sainsburys, or Tesco Direct:

• Personal UK and European Breakdown Cover automatically included
• Comprehensive cover for trips abroad in the European Union - up to 90 days per trip
• Courtesy car during approved repairs automatically included
• Cover for Motor Legal Protection automatically included

So, it is clear that, besides being good value, M&S Car Insurance also provides much more extensive cover than some of the top competitors. Additionally, you don't even need to be behind the wheel to benefit from M&S Finance UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Cashmilon™ Foil Print Tasselled Scarf, at M & S
Keep warm, cosy and stylish in this fashionable foil print tasselled scarf made from supersoft cashmilon™

Limited Collection Cotton Rich Pindot Shorts, at Mark's & Spencer
Fabulous and modern, these shorts are part of our Limited Collection lingerie. Theyre made from soft stretch cotton and designed to fit and flatter. For a funky look, mix and match with coordinating lingerie from Limited. Casual, contemporary fashion

Autograph Full Volume Mascara, at Marks and Spencers
Smooth, glossy mascara for full volume lashes Revolutionary brush shape gives up to 300% volume Non flaking Smudge proof Hypoallergenic Available in 5 shades

North Coast Pure Cotton Botton Down Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Stylishly smart casual, this button down shirt is made from pure cotton so it feels soft and comfortable to wear

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Floral Print Top, at Marks & Spenser
A floral print adds a pretty touch to this soft pure cotton top.

Classic Collection 3 Button Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
Soft and comfortable, this 3 button cardigan makes a versatile extra layer. Dress it up with smart skirts and trousers, or wear it with jeans for a casual modern look.

Handcrafted Love You Laser Cut Wife Valentine Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: I Love You Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 220 x 220mm

Crinkle Coin Purse, at Marks & Spencer
Flash your cash in style! Fashionable and functional, this coin purse features a crinkled faux leather texture

Baby Face 'Just to Say' Multipack of Cards, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: Just to say... Inside message: Blank for your own message Pack contains: 8 cards, 1 design Approx. size: 120mm x 120mm

Autograph Berry Damask Pillowcase, at Marks and Spencer
Damask print Pure Cotton, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

3 Pairs of Assorted Bird Design Socks, at Marks and Spencer
Celebrate the weekend with these fun novelty socks, great as a gift

5 Pure Cotton High Waist Full Briefs, at Marks & Spencers
This pack of cotton briefs is outstanding value and makes a great way to stock up your underwear drawer

Older Girls' Scallop Trim Belt, at Marks & Spencers
Fun and fashionable this scallop trim belt adds a stylish finishing touch

Latte Ceramic Table Lamp, at Marks & Spencers
Faux silk shade Cylinder stand Two tone reactive glaze base H49.5 x Diam 28cm Bulb: 60W GLS B22 GLS This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Faux Crocodile Skin Leggings, at Marks and Spencers
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel

2 Angel Contrast Strap First Bras, at Marks and Spenser
These great value bras are ideal for everyday wear. They're made with stretchy fabric for a supportive and comfortable fit. The unique soft underwiring is perfect for girls who have been wearing our non wired bras for 2 years

Multifaceted Pebble Necklace, Earrings & Bracelet Set, at Marks and Spencer
3 part set Multifaceted pebble design Hook fastening drop earrings Clasp fastening necklace with adjustable length Stretch bracelet Necklace length: 46cm, extendable by 8cm Bracelet length: 19cm For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Cotton Rich Bootlleg Jeans, at Marks & Spencers
Flattering and fabulous, bootcuts make legs look longer and are kind to curves. This pair sits on the waist and is designed to give a shapely feminine silhouette. Added stretch gives the perfect fit

Short Sleeve Wavy Knitted Shirt, at Marks & Spenser
Smart and stylish, this wavy knitted shirt is made from stretch fabric for a flattering and fashionable fit

Cape Flora Bouquet, at Marks&Spencer
Internet Exclusive This bouquet is arranged from wild foliage and seasonal flowers sustainably harvested from Flower Valley in the Agulhas region of South Africa. The Cape floral kingdom is the smallest plant kingdom in the world but contains the highest known concentration of plant species - more than 9,000 plant species make up the region, 6,000 of which are found nowhere else on Earth Available for delivery from 8th May to 30th September 2009

Handmade Swirl Glass Bowl, at Marks and Spencer
Handmade Round shape Swirl design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Blue Harbour Mini Check Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
A fashionable look without the fuss. This mini check shirt is quick and easy to iron

2 Older Boys' Pure Cotton Gorilla Pyjamas, at Marks & Spencer
Soft and comfy, this 2-pack of pure cotton pyjamas features monkey motifs

Cotton Rich Coolmax® Flat Sheet, at MarksandSpencer
Plain Easycare Perfect for use with our range of cool cotton duvets and protectors 220 thread count for a smooth crisp finish that requires minimal ironing Comes in single, double, kingsize and super-kingsize Depth 25cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Silver Plated Paisley Stretch Bracelet, at Marks & Spenser
Stretch style Diamant detail

Autograph Integrated Light Tweezers, at Marks & Spencer
Use regularly to help shape and tidy eyebrows Always remove hairs from below or between the eyebrows by pulling in the direction of the hair growth Integrated light Includes case Batteries included

The Cotton Collection Cotton Stripe Bath Foam & Body Cream, at Marks & Spensers
PH balanced bath foam: 150ml Body cream: 75ml Moisturising body cream

Ceriso Floral Print DD-G Padded Bra, at Marks and Spencer
Flirty and feminine this modern bra is beautifully detailed with a frill trim and floral print design. Soft padding and underwiring give great support and a fabulous flattering shape. Designed for women who want the latest look

Roll & Play Toy, at Marks and Spenser
Suitable for ages 0-3 years Encourages activity and hand-eye coordination This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Weekend Lightweight Sparkle Stripe Scarf, at Mark & Spensers
Add a touch of sophisticated style with this shimmering scarf. The perfect lightweight layer to wrap over this season's tops and dresses

When you're shopping at Marks & Spencer online store for your summer outfit, or looking for furniture to give your home a makeover, then spend a moment to also consider products from M&S Finance. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Household Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks and Spencer than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from M&S Finance. With images of volcano ash still fresh in many traveller's minds, it's good to remember there were many travellers who ended up wishing they had spent just a few pounds extra to obtain travel insurance for their trip. Of course, unfortunately, after the event is too late!

In fact, had you purchased travel insurance from M&S Finance, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Finance website would have seen a message stating that although claims relating to volcanic eruptions are not normally covered by travel insurance, that on this particular occasion, they would "allow claims from UK customers affected by the volcanic ash that has recently grounded flights."