M&S Financial Services 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 Financial Services 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 MarksandSpencer 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 Financial Services UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

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 Financial Services financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks and Spencers 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 Financial Services 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 Financial Services Buildings & Contents Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

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

Cotton Rich Funnel Neck Large Button Jumper, at Marks & Spenser
Contemporary and casual, this funnel neck jumper is made from comfortable breathable cotton rich fabric. Wonderfully warm and cosy

Nail Treatment Pens, at Marks and Spencer
Cuticle softener pen with natural oils to hydrate and soothe your cuticles. Apply daily to the cuticle bed Nail nourishment pen with natural oils, aloe vera and vitamins A, C and E to strengthen your nails while maintaining flexibility and resistance to breaking. Apply daily to the nail surface Nail polish corrector pen angled tips instantly remove dry nail polish to achieve a professional finish. Extra tips can be used as spares or interchanged to prevent colour transfer

Autograph Low Rise Embroidered Shorts, at Marks & Spencers
Elegant and feminine these gorgeous shorts are made from the softest lace which looks and feels luxurious

Angled Pleat Sleeveless Dress, at Marks & Spencers
Smart and stylish, this sleeveless dress features an angled pleat design above the waist. A great choice that will take you from the office to an evening out. Machine washable for convenience

Cotton Rich Spot Print Scoop Neck Vest with Modal, at Marks & Spensers
Pretty and feminine, this ribbed vest is made from soft cotton rich fabric for a comfortable night's sleep

Radcot Bedstead, at Marks and Spenser
Headboard H106cm Endboard H80cm Dbl L200 x W158.5cm 5ft L210 x W173.5cm 6ft L210 x W203.5cm Made from solid oak Sprung slats to ensure support and comfort Mattress sold separately Delivered flatpack due to size 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 manufacturers instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Champagne, Chocolate & Rose Hamper, at M & S
An indulgent basket of goodies that will make anyone feel on top of the world: includes a bottle of champagne, a box of luxury belgian chocolates and a gift-wrapped cream rose plant Available for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

Stainless Steel 6 Sided Grater, at Marks & Spencer
6 different cuts H22cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Bright Metallic Spots Roll Wrap, at MarksandSpencer
1 roll wrap Approx size: 150 x 70cm

3/4 Sleeve V-Neck Longline Stripe Jumper, at Mark & Spencers
Fashionable and flattering, this jumper features two front pockets. Stylish, practical and fashionable

Limited Collection Cotton Rich Stripe Bra, at M&S
Fun and fabulous, this cotton rich t-shirt bra is part of our Limited Collection lingerie. It's perfectly smooth so you won't get any visible lumps and bumps under your clothes. For a funky look, mix and match with coordinating lingerie from Limited. Casual, contemporary fashion

Plain Mule Slippers, at M+S
Dip your feet into lush comfort with the slip-on design of these cosy mule slippers. The non-slip sole ensures peace of mind, while the inner lining feels like a heavenly treat

Ribbed Thermal Leggings, at Marks and Spencers
Soft, warm and cosy, these ribbed thermal leggings are designed to give comfy insulation, perfect for chilly weather

Sony BDP-S360 Blu-ray Disc™ Player, at Marks and Spencer
Picture quality: HD1080p High Definition 24p True Cinema: View the film exactly as it was shot Xcross Media bar: Easy to navigate user interface which mirrors the design used in BRAVIA & Playstation Bonusview:: Picture in picture visual content can be displayed during movie playback Network Firmware Update: Internet connection via Ethernet port for automatic product update to BD Live BRAVIA Sync: One push functionality x.v. Colour: More vibrant & truer colours for better picture quality Dimensions: W43 x H6 x D22cm Weight: 2.9kg Upscaling of DVD Video content to 1080p Dolby Digital Plus/ Dolby True HD (7.1ch) decoding Cinema Tuned Picture Modes Photo TV HD

7 Pairs of Big & Tall Freshfeet Stripe Socks with Silver Technology, at Marks and Spencer
Our odour control Freshfeet socks are now better than ever with a new Sanitised Silver finish. Known for its natural antibacterial properties, silver helps reduce the presence of bacteria that causes smelly odours, so your feet stay fresh with every step and it keeps working for the lifetime of the socks

Autograph Microfibre & Cashmere All Seasons Filled Duvet, at Marks & Spencers
2 part set Splits into 2 seperate covers or combined 4.5 tog: the coolest of all duvets, designed for summer use 9 tog: ideal for Spring and Autumn use, or all round use in homes with central heating Non-allergenic 300 thread count and 100% cotton jacquard cover Pocket construction for even warmth Comes in single (3ft), double (4ft 6in), king size (5ft) and super king size (6ft)x Which tog? Tog measures the warmth of a duvet based on its ability to trap warm air. The higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet. The perfect tog is a personal choice which can depend upon you and your home, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Addison Nest of Tables, at MarksandSpencer
SAVE ON SETS Save at least 25% when you buy these tables as part of a set. Click here to view the Addison Collection Set. H45 x W55 x D55cm (largest table) Set of 2 Made from American Black Walnut solids and veneers, with Beech veneer on unseen faces Finished with 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of mid sheen All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings 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 manufacturers instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Stain Defence™ & Stormwear™ Cargo Shorts, at Marks and Spenser
Smart and innovative, these fashionable cargo shorts are treated with Stormwear™ and Stain Defence™ technology, so they repel water and stains. An adjustable waist gives a perfectly comfortable fit for longer

Classic Duckling Christening Invites - Pack of Ten, at Mark & Spencers
Cover text: Christening Inside message: Would like to invite.....to the christening of.....on.....at.....time.....RSVP..... 10 cards, 1 design Approx size: 120 x 120 mm

4 Dahlia Print Placemats, at Marks and Spencers
Pack of 4 Dahlia print Curved edges Rectangle shape, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Floral Pegs Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Happy birthday Inside message: Blank for your own message This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Cross Over Stripe Tankini, at Marks & Spensers
Modern and stylish, this comfortable tankini is sure to make a splash!

Perfect Scorpius Hard Medium Rollercase, at M&S
Strong yet lightweight, this stylish luggage has 4 wheels for maximum manoeuvrability, a fixed combination lock, telescopic handle and fully lined interiors. There's a free 5 year guarantee, too

Blue Harbour Pure Linen Short Sleeve Check Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Relaxed and stylish, this check shirt is cut for a great fit. It's made from pure linen, so it feels cool and comfortable to wear.

Autograph Light Control Guipure Waist Cincher, at Marks and Spencer
This waist cincher gives total body definition, shaping your tummy, waist and bottom with the flexibility of wearing your own bra. It's comfortable, breathable and easy to move around in, and the special finish keeps you cool and dry. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

Domaine Régismont Merlot Cabernet 2007 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Full Bodied Grape variety: Merlot, Cabernet Country of origin: France Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.4 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.6 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Double Breasted Jacket with Cashmere, at Marks&Spencer
Beautifully tailored and finished with careful attention to detail, this sophisticated jacket is made from superior wool rich fabric with cashmere for softness and luxury

Cap Sleeve Floral Embroidered Jersey Top, at Marks&Spencer
This fab cap sleeve top features a stunning floral embroidery. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season

Winter Weight Pure Cotton Flat Front Corduroy Trousers, at Marks & Spencers
A relaxed formal look, these comfortable cotton corduroy trousers make a stylish and practical choice for everyday wear

Royal Jelly & Pure Honey Moisture Rich Handwash, at Marks & Spensers
Handwash Moisturising 200ml

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 Financial Services. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings & Contents 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 Financial Services. 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 Financial Services, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Financial Services 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."