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 and Spencer are so useful. M&S Finance financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & Spencer 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, Home Insurance policies. Usually, UK Home 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 Home 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 Home Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

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, Sainsbury's, or Tescos 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.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Finance. Not least of these is M&S Standard Car Insurance. With M&S Finance 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 Finance, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from M&S, 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, you get more, and you pay less.

2 Autograph Tartan Bow Clips, at Marks n Spencer
Dress up those tresses in fabulous style with these pretty bow clips

Natural Beauty Bath & Body Oil, at Mark & Spensers
Naturally fragranced 100ml

Special Friend Text Birthday Card, at M & S
Cover text: Special Friend Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx. size: 150 x 150mm

Glass Column Table Lamp, at Marks n Spencer
Glass column stem feature Square base This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Varied Stripe Polo Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
A stylish smart-casual look, this short sleeve polo shirt in soft cotton features varied stripe design. Practical, comfortable and easycare

Sprung-Edge Divan with 2 Large + 2 Small Drawers & M400 Mattress - Firm, at Marks & Spenser
Double mattress (4ft 6in): W135 x L190 cm King size mattress (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super king size mattress (6ft): W180 x L200cm Single divan (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double divan (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King size divan (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super king size divan (6ft): W180 x L200cm Mattress depth: 24cm Divan height: 41cm Large drawer: H14 x W78 x D52cm Small drawer: H14 x W40 x D52cm Mattress filling made from resilient foam and polyester fibre Further filling layers of cotton and lambs wool keeps you warm in summer and cool in winter Two rows of hand side-stitching give the mattress edge-to-edge support. This allows you full use of the sleeping surface Individually pocketed springs Pocket sprung mattresses give a flexible feel Mattress spring count: 1054 Can be used with any mattress All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected Mattress does not require turning All mattresses and divans are manufactured in the UK A sample mattress is subjected to 3 rigorous tests to ensure it remains comfortable. Surface fabric is rubbed 15,000 times against a hard surface to test resistance to wear. Mattress is pounded by a machine 80,000 times to replicate the movements of a human torso and subjected to 20,000 rolls of a roller machine to simulate the rolling motion of a sleeping person Free eco-friendly home delivery. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Front Frill Longline Cardigan, at Marks&Spencer
Pretty and feminine, this front frill cardigan is made with comfortable breathable cotton. Get the latest look!

Per Una Speziale Moisture Rich Lipstick, at M+S
Moisture rich Hypo-allergenic

Drift Away CD, at Marks and Spenser
Album, Marks & Spencer

DD-G Lace Built-Up Shoulder Bra, at Marks & Spenser
A lovely addition to your day to day underwear drawer. This versatile bra combines the shaping and support of underwiring and adjustable straps with the convenient comfort of an easy to care for design

1 Litre Clear Glass Mixing Bowl, at Marks & Spencers
1 litre capacity Classic design Clear, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Fresh Rose Inclusion Pillar Candle, at MarksandSpencer
Fresh rose scented Includes dish With dried flowers, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Coconut Shy, at Marks and Spencer
Contains: 4 poles, 4 coconut targets with small peg fasteners, 4 beanbags, instructions Beanbags: 105 x 80 x 25mm Coconut targets: 160 x 120 x 45mm Poles: 2 x 25 x 700mm & 2 x 25 x 900mm

Official England FA File Book, at Marks and Spencer
Stay on the ball and be on top of your game with this fun football file! Record all your favourite footy stuff and check out profiles of your top England players. Get organised with your cool footy scrapbook and official calendar, so you don't forget those all-important match dates. Share your football adventures with the team and become a true England hero by creating your own dream squad. With this file in hand, you'll be a real England team player

Machine Washable & Tumble Dry Single Breasted 3 Button Plain Jacket, at Marks & 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

M&S 2200W Steam Iron with Electronic Temperature Control, at Marks and Spencers
1850W - 2200W Highly accurate electronic temperature control Stainless steel soleplate Variable steam control Self-cleaning Transparent water reservoir Dry/steam ironing Anti-drip and anti-scale Auto shut off Soft Grip Handle Dimensions: H29cm 360 degree Swivel Cord 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Sponge Cutting Cake, at Marks & Spencer
Order by 5pm to collect in 7 days Serves 22 Sponge cake: all-butter sponge filled with buttercream and raspberry jam Choose from white or ivory soft icing 950g Available for collection in participating M&S UK stores Click here for a list of stores As featured on page 61 in the food to order brochure Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers

Per Una Mixed Bohemian Bead Rope Necklace, at Marks and Spencers
Rope necklace Mixed bead design Length: 84cm

Footglove™ Leather Widefit Shoes, at Marks and Spencers
Square toe Contrast stitch detail Slip-on Heel height 78mm Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

125 Years Limited Collection Vest & Shorts Set, at Marks & Spenser
Fabulous and modern, this vest and shorts set is part of our Limited Collection lingerie. They're made from soft stretch cotton and designed to fit and flatter. Casual, contemporary fashion

Classic Collection Floral Print Jersey Top, at Marks & Spensers
This elegant easycare blouse has an integrated camisole for a feminine layered look. It makes the perfect match for skirts or trousers in coordinating colours from the Classic collection

Autograph Flat Front Grey Single Pleat Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and contemporary, these flat front stripe trousers are part of our exclusive Autograph collection. A great design, superior fabric and careful attention to detail make them exceptionally stylish and comfortable

Heat Proof Travel Mat, at Marks and Spencer
Haircare motifs Riptape fastening Once you have finished using heating appliances, unplug and pack away in your heat proof travel mat

Ultimate Non-Iron Fine Herringbone Short Sleeve Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
An innovative shirt in pure cotton. A special fabric finish and clever construction mean there is no need to iron this smart easycare shirt

Blue Harbour Numbered Rugby Polo Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
Casual and relaxed, this short sleeve rugby polo shirt is made from pure cotton so it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Bubble Spot Print Swimdress, at MarksandSpencer
Chic and sophisticated, this flattering swimdress features a striking bubble spot print. A stylish, shapely look

Autograph Styled Embroidered Non-Padded Balcony Bra, at Marks and Spencer
Glamorous and sophisticated this balcony bra features a delicate embroidered design. Stretch fabric and underwiring give a great fit and flattering uplifted shape. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

Body Tape, at Marks & Spensers
Body tape is ideal for securing very low cut garments, attaching bra straps to cloths and holding your clothes in place just where you want them

Single Breasted 2 Button Corduroy Jacket with Inner Gilet, at Marks & Spenser
A smartly tailored mock layer jacket in pure cotton

New 120GB Apple iPod classic, at Marks and Spencer
Up to 30,000 songs, 150 hours of video, 25,000 photos, or any combination Rent a movie from iTunes and watch it on the go Sleek, anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel enclosure Genius feature finds the songs in your library that go great together and makes a Genius playlist for you Cover Flow - turn it on its side to flip through album art 2.5-inch (diagonal) color LCD display with LED backlight. 320-by-240-pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery capable of up to 36 hours of audio playback and up to 6 hours of video playback Dimensions: H10.4 x W6.2 x D1cm approx Weight: 140g In the box: iPod classic, Earphones, USB 2.0 cable, Dock adapter, Quick Start guide For Mac and Windows. Requires Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional or Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later TM and 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved 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

Marks and Spencers may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Home Insurance or Car Insurance, but Mark & Spencers 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 Marks & Spencers 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 Home 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 (Home 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 MarksandSpencer insurance products in document format too.