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 M+S are so useful. M+S Money 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, Buildings & Contents Insurance policies. Usually, UK Buildings & Contents 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 Buildings & Contents 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 Buildings & Contents Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

M+S Money 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 Money 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 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 Money UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Besides Marks & Spencers Car Insurance, M+S Money Credit Cards and other financial products, M+S Money Buildings & Contents Insurance deserves particular mention, with it being particularly good value for money, and providing extra insurance cover that many UK insurance companies either don't provide at all, or would charge extra for.

With M+S Money Premier Contents policy, for example, student's belongings are not only covered at home, but also at college or university. Additionally, dependent relatives are also covered if their belongings happen to be in a nursing home. Even better still, your M+S purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M+S Money Premier Buildings & Contents Insurance and Standard Buildings & Contents Insurance policies, you can choose to include Contents Away From Home. This option would then provide valuable cover all of your personal belongings on a worldwide basis.

Pure Cotton Stripe Towels, at Marks & Spensers
Stripe design Comes in 3 sizes, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Pure Cashmere Knitted Cowl Neck Poncho, at Marks & Spencer
Wrap up warm in fashionable style with this pure cashmere poncho. The contemporary design looks great over this season's fashions, or wear with jeans and boots

Short Sleeve Plain Jersey Body, at Marks and Spencer
This plain scoop neck body is a casual style essential. Perfect for wearing under trousers or skirts for a contemporary look

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

First Readers Little Red Riding Hood, at M&S
...''Oh Granny, what big ears you have!'' says Little Red Riding Hood. ''All the better to hear you with,'' snaps back the wolf. Enjoy finding out how Little Red Riding Hood outwits the wolf, in this quirky retelling of the classic fairy tale

Per Una Pure Cotton Floral Embroidered Crushed Top, at Mark's & Spencer
A feminine 3/4 length sleeve top in pure soft cotton featuring a floral embroidered design and scoop neck

Limited Collection Formal Bootleg Trousers, at Marks&Spencer
Make a smart impression in these flattering and fashionable bootleg trousers. Stride out in style!

Handcrafted Heart Husband Birthday Card, at MarksandSpencer
Cover Text: To my wonderful husband Inside Message: With all my love Approx size: 230 x 114mm

Leather Centre Seam Tramline Shoes, at M & S
Square toe Centre seam Tramline design Stitch detail Small block heel Slip on

5 Assorted High Rise Full Briefs, at M&S
These cotton rich briefs are perfect for everyday wear. Added stretch gives a comfortable fit and shape retention

Champagne Flutes Engagement Card, at Mark's & Spencer
Cover text: On Your Engagement Inside message: With Love Approx. size: 178 mm x 126 mm FSC: This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future

3 Non-Iron Long Sleeve Shirts, at Marks and Spenser
This pack of 3 shirts is great value. A practical and convenient choice, they're easycare and non-iron to save you time. Elasticated cuffs are a feature on shirts up to age 8 to make it easier for young children to dress

Rose Guipure Non-Wired Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Offering the superior support and control you need for those high impact workouts. This sports bra sets the pace for essential comfort thanks to an easycare fabric and the shape retaining qualities of added stretch

Cotton Rich Heart Print Bikini Knickers, at Marks and Spencers
Pretty and feminine, these cute heart print bikini briefs sit low on the waist - perfect for wearing under hipsters. They're cut away at the front and sides and cover the bottom for a comfortable and flattering fit

Limited Collection Faux Snakeskin Square Watch, at Marks and Spencer
Buckle fastening Analogue Square face Faux snakeskin style strap

Classic Collection Round neck Cashmilon™ Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
Stylish and so comfortable, this round neck cardigan in softest cashmilon™ feels as good as it looks and the smart 3/4 length sleeve adds the perfect finishing touch

Older Boys' Pure Cotton Chinos, at Marks and Spencer
Comes with belt shown in image A stylish smart-casual look, these straight leg chinos are outstanding value! They're made from pure cotton which is comfortable, practical and easycare

Gardening Kit, at Marks and Spencer
Handy wipe clean carry bag for all garden essentials Painted metal watering can with rose Wood handled metal gardening fork, trowel, rake with hanging loops This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Leaf Tapestry Pencil Pleat Curtains, at Marks and Spencers
Embroidered leaf design Pencil pleat Lined Comes in standard 168cm/66'' (STD) and wider 219cm/86'' (WDR) widths Also comes in three drop lengths: short (137cm/54''), medium (183cm/72''), long (229cm/90'') How to measure for window dressings: Click here for a guide to measuring for curtains, pelmets and roman blinds., Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

12 Piece Sennen Dinner Set - Blue, at Marks and Spenser
12 piece set - 4 crockery place settings Includes 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates and 4 cereal bowls 4 dinner plates: Diam 28cm 4 side plates: Diam 21cm 4 cereal bowls H8.5 x Diam 14cm Single stripe trim design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Tummy Control Strappy Vest, at Marks and Spencer
This tummy control vest gives a flattering shape - great under close fitting tops. The hidden panel shapes the waistline and flattens your tummy while the longer length helps prevent it rolling up

Ingredients Mandarin Lip Butter, at M&S
To help soften and smooth your lips Mandarin flavoured balm

Stud Tassel Tote Bag, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and practical, this tote bag is a useful accessory with bags of style!

Silver Celebration Cake, at Marks and Spencers
36 portions Fruit cake: Vine fruits, nuts and cherries laced with brandy. Cake weight 2.7kg. Fruitcakes can be eaten up to 14 days after collection Sponge cake: All-butter sponge filled with buttercream and raspberry jam. Cake weight 1.7Kg. Sponge cakes can be eaten up to 5 days after collection Cake size: 20.5cm square Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers Suitable for vegetarians Comes in a box suitable for storing the cake before serving As featured on page 68 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 7 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Per Una Sleeveless Ruffle Top, at Marks & Spencer
A fashionable sleeveless top featuring front ruffle detail

Stainless Steel Spaghetti Measurer, at Marks and Spencer
Stainless steel with black edges Gives measures for 1/2, 1, 2 and 3 person servings, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Weekend Cotton Rich Pencil Skirt, at Marks and Spenser
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

Sheriff Star Reversible Bedset, at Marks & Spensers
Sheriff star design Set includes single duvet cover and 1 pillowcase Pillowcase: L76 x W48cm Duvet cover: L198 x W137cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Wide Leg Centre Crease Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
A smart pair of wide leg trousers in stretch cotton featuring a centre crease

Autograph Pure Silk Stripe Tie, at M&S
Fashionable and contemporary, this pure silk tie is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Designer style and luxury at high street prices

There are lots of ways to save money using M+S Money. Not least of these is Marks and Spenser 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 Marks & Spencers Money, you get more, and you pay less.