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&Spencer are so useful. M&S Money financial products are, of course, designed to make MarksandSpencer 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 Money 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 Money Household Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

M&S Money Insurance: There are, quite literally, hundreds of companies in the UK from whom you can purchase insurance. Whether you're looking for the best deal on Car Insurance, buildings and contents insurance, or even wedding insurance, it doesn't take long to find a company that will sell you a policy.

However, not all insurance companies, and certainly not all insurance policies, are the same. What may be standard on one insurance policy may be an optional extra on another, for instance; Car Insurance and Household Insurance are especially like this.

For example, most home and contents insurance policies either ask you to provide the total cost of rebuilding your home plus the total value of your home contents, or they will set an upper limit. This may seem fine at the time, but, in the event of a claim on your Household Insurance policy, the values act as maximum limits, and so you may, in effect, be under-insured and not receive the full value of your insurance claim.

Fortunately, M&S Money Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Money. Not least of these is Marks and Spencer Standard Car Insurance. With M&S Money you can keep the cost of your Car Insurance down by choosing Standard cover, over Premier Cover. UK Vehicle can then be added to your policy as optional extras, if you wanted to.

If you're thinking of adding both Breakdown Cover and Motor Legal Protection, then it would cost less to upgrade to Premier Car Insurance cover from M&S Money, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from Marks & Spenser, and these include: Courtesy car (subject to availability); Loss, theft, damage and destruction of vehicle; Loss or damage to personal property in vehicle; Personal accident cover up to £10,000; Windscreen cover (£75 excess); a 24 hour claims service, and many other options as standard on each policy. In short, with Car Insurance from M&S Money Direct, you get more, and you pay less.

Chunky Marble Necklace & Bracelet Set, at Marks n Spencer
2 part set Stretch bracelet Clasp fastening necklace Adjustable necklace length Marble design Chunky style Necklace length 48cm, extendable by 8cm

Sweet Bergamot Scented Inclusion Candle, at Marks & Spencer
Rectangle shape Includes wood plate Sweet Bergamot scent Burns upto 40 hours, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

British Ham Platter, at Marks and Spencer
Contains 40 slices Serves 8 Ready to eat 700g As featured on page 18 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Gold Plated Catseye Tear Drop Earrings, at Marks&Spencer
Drop style Hook fastening Catseye tear drop design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

5 Cotton Rich Spot Print Bikini Knickers, at Marks and Spenser
These spot print cotton rich bikinis are perfect for everyday wear. Added stretch gives a comfortable fit and shape retention

Detroit Wardrobe & 2 Bedside Chests Set, at Marks & Spencers
3 piece set Wardrobe: H195 x W90 x D59cm Bedside Chest: H64 x W46 x D40cm Made from White Oak solids and veneers Finished with 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of mid sheen Solid oak legs Table top panel made from oak veneer with a solid oak edging for strength Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Why use veneers? Unlike solid timber, veneer does not twist/warp/split to the same degree. Only the finest logs are used in veneer production. It is environmentally sound and traditional - much of the finest cabinetry in the world is veneered. Care & Cleaning: Wipe with a soft clean cloth and use a mild furniture cleaner or polish occasionally. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Machine Washable Flat Front Stripe Trousers with Wool, at Marks and Spencer
Put an end to tiresome trips to the dry cleaners. Our range of machine washable and tumble dry suits combine the best in convenience and contemporary style

Samsung 50'' PS50B551 TV HD Ready LCD Crystal TV™, at Marks & Spensers
HD Ready 1080p: Displays images in Full HD 1080p, the maximum resolution defined for HDTV use, when connected to an HD compatible device Display: 50 inch LCD screen, 1920 x 1080 resolution Contrast Ratio (TBD): 30,000:1 (TBD) Integrated Digital Tuner: Provides access to all Freeview™ terrestrial digital channels and radio stations (subject to coverage in your area) Dimensions: W124 x H82.2 x D29cm (with stand), W124 x H76.6 x D7.4cm (without stand) Weight: 38.4kg (with stand), 33.4kg (without stand) SRS TruSurround HD: SRS Trusurround HD & Dolby Digital Plus Connectors: 3 x HDMI , 2 x scart, 1 x RF Input, 1 x component, 1 x PC input, 1 x digital audio (Optical), Headphone jack DNIe+ Technology: The Digital Natural Image Engine produces images with incredible depth and density. Advanced contrast and detail enhancers combine to produce deeper richer lifelike colours Wide Colour Enhancer 2: Primary colours are strengthened to increase depth and intensity to show pictures in all their natural beauty Filterbright Panel FilterBright is a powerful anti-reflective film that absorbs external light and transmits internal light, thereby increasing the contrast levels and preventing unwanted reflection in bright daylight Use wall mount T042104 to perfectly mount this TV, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ultimate Non-Iron Pure Cotton Pleat Wing Collar Shirt, at Mark's & Spencer
An innovative shirt in pure cotton. A special fabric finish and clever construction mean there is no need to iron this smart easycare shirt

Pure Cotton Ripstop Pull On Hat, at Marks and Spencer
Keep your cool in this pull on sun hat, a summer and holiday essential

M&S 2GB USB Memory Stick, at Marks and Spencer
2GB memory stick Plugs directly into computer's USB port High-speed USB 2.0 compatible Plug'n Play USB interface requires no driver software Includes USB extention cable and neck strap Rubber housing Dimensions: 54 x 19 x 10mm Weight: 10g (approx) M&S is a member of the WEEE Distributor Take Back Scheme. Recycling your electronic waste has never been easier! Click here for more information This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

5 Younger Girls' Pure Cotton Hello Kitty Briefs, at Marks & Spensers
A must for fans of Hello Kitty character, these briefs feature assorted designs

Large Tear Drop Gemstone Photo Frame, at Mark & Spencers
Round shape Multifaceted faux gemstones Tear-drop gem design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Sony VAIO VGN-P11Z Laptop, at Marks and Spencer
Processor: Intel Atom™ Z520 Processor, Supports Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology Processor speed: 1.33 (GHz) RAM: DDR2 SDRAM (1x2048MB on board) Screen: (Diagonal Size) 8" X-black LCD with LED technology with 1600 x 768 resolution Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium Hard Drive: 60GB Ultra ATA/100, 4200 rpm Graphics card: Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500 Memory stick slot: Memory Stick™ Duo, Memory Stick™ PRO Duo, high speed data transfer Digital camera: Built-in 'Motion Eye' Digital Camera, 0.3 Image Sensor (Mega Pixels) resolution 640x480 (VGA) and built in microphone Keyboard: Pointing Stick Shock Protection: G-Sensor HDD Shock Protection Interfaces: DC in x 1, Memory Stick™ Slot x 1, SD Card Slot x 1, USB Port 2.0 x 2, Audio out x 1, Port Replicator (dongle connector) x 1, Port Replicator Interfaces - GigaEthernet / VGA Port Connectivity: Built-in WWAN - Everywair Wireless WAN 7.2Mbps (HSDPA/HSUPA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS), Wireless LAN Max. Data Rate (Mbps) 300 (RX)/ 150 (TX), Integrated Bluetooth (Version) 2.1 + EDR Battery: Lithium-Ion battery (VGP-BPS15/B) Battery Life (min) 165. Actual battery life will vary depending on your specific hardware and software configurations. Benchmark: MobileMark 2007 Video & TV software: WinDVD 8.0 for VAIO Audio software: Windows Media Player 11 Photo software: Google Picasa Office application software: Adobe Reader 8.1, Adobe Standard 8, Microsoft Office Ready 2007 (60 days Try & Buy) Security & other software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (with 60 days free virus updates), VAIO Recovery Utility - HDD recovery (hidden partition) Accessories included: AC Adaptor, Battery - VGP-BPS15/B, Power Cord, VGP-DA10 (Display/LAN Adapter) Dimensions: D 120 x H 19.8 x W 245mm Weight: Weight with Supplied Battery and Supplied Drive (kg) 0.638 M&S is a member of the WEEE Distributor Take Back Scheme. Recycling your electronic waste has never been easier! Click here for more information This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Oak & Metal Photo Frame 20 x 25cm (8 x 10"), at Marks & Spencer
Wide border Rectangle shape Aperture: 20 x 25cm (8 x 10''), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Nail Care Cushioned Emery Boards, at Marks and Spencers
Pack of 2 Stripe and spot design Cushioned

Collezione Silk Rich Ethnic Self Print Tie, at Marks & Spenser
Stylish and luxurious, this silk rich tie is part of Collezione, a sophisticated menswear collection inspired by Italian tailoring

Pure Cotton Button Detail Bootleg Trousers, at Marks & Spensers
Designed to give a shapely silhouette, these on-the-waist bootcuts are feminine and flattering. A look that's always in style

Autograph Weekend Cotton Rich Bootleg Jeans, at Marks & Spencers
Part of Autograph Weekend's Sloane trend. Casual yet sophisticated, this is weekend dressing at its most stylish. Featuring a cool colour palette of crisp navy, neutrals and red, this is an effortlessly chic look for the new season

Uva Mira Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - Case of 6, at MarksandSpencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Screw cap Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.1 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.7 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Petite 3/4 Sleeve Pintuck Tunic, at Marks & Spenser
Pretty and feminine, this longline tunic is made from softly draping stretch viscose for a fluid look. The floral print adds a fashionable finishing touch. Specially designed and perfectly proportioned for the petite frame

Sony Stamina Plus AAA Alkaline Batteries - Pack of 4, at Marks and Spencer
Voltage (V): 1.5 Cells per pack: 4 Size: AAA / LR03 Ideal for high power applications which require intense and durable energy such as portable hifi, toys & audio devices *Must be returned with the tamper seal intact for full refund

Traidcraft Embroidered Mum Card, at M&S
Cover Text: Mum Inside message: blank for your own message Approx size: 138 x 138mm

Luxury Total Support Classic Bra, at Marks & Spensers
Soft and comfortable, this lightweight bra is designed to give gentle all-round support and uplift. It's secure but lightweight and features extra wide straps

Pure Cotton Zip Through Hooded Top, at Marks and Spencer
Warm and soft, this pretty hooded top will keep her cosy

Saunders Bedstead, at Marks n Spencer
Headboard H91cm Endboard H51cm Dbl L199 x W135cm (W143cm with headboard) 5ft L199 x W150cm (W158cm with headboard) 6ft L199 x W180cm (W188cm with headboard) Chrome metal frame with real walnut veneer Mattress sold separately This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Isis Body Spray, at Marks & Spencer
Scented body spray 100ml This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Bootleg Jersey Trousers, at Mark's & Spencer
Fashionable and fabulous, bootcuts flatter curves and make legs look longer. This pair sits on the waist and is designed to give a shapely feminine silhouette. Added stretch gives the perfect fit

Autograph Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Newspaper T-Shirt, at MarksandSpencer
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

Big & Tall Flat Front Trousers, at Marks and Spenser
With a modern, flat front silhouette combining comfort and style, these dapper trousers add versatile appeal to your formal wardrobe, maintaining your smart look throughout the day

When you're shopping at Marks & Spencers 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 Money. 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 Money. 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 Money, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Money 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."