When you're shopping at Marks & Spensers 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 M&S 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."

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 Finance financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & 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, 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.

Not so long ago, only banks and traditional insurance companies offered financial or insurance products, yet today it may often seem as if even the local corner shop is offering financial products. That's not quite true, of course, but many more companies do offer financial products than used to be the case, and it can sometimes be difficult to decide who is offering the best deal.

And, while Marks & Spencer once offered mostly fashion products, with the only hint of a credit card being when you paid for your shopping at the checkout, today you'll find as good a deal on M&S credit cards as you will with the latest range of M&S fashion.

In fact, these days M+S, through its M&S Finance website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Car Insurance, M&S Household Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Per Una Cotton Rich Cropped Jeans, at Marks & Spencers
A stylish cropped pair of jeans in stretch cotton featuring a slit side hem. Comes with a silver plaited belt, making it extra stylish

Cotton Rich Velour Hooded Jacket, at Marks & Spensers
Treat yourself to plush comfort with this super soft velour hooded jacket. Perfect for relaxing or exercising in style

Noah's Ark Cake, at Marks and Spencers
Order by 5pm to collect in 7 days 50 portions Chocolate cake: a rich chocolate cake filled with milk chocolate ganache 16 x 32cm 3kg Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores As featured on page 62 in the food to order brochure Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers Chocolate and sponge cakes can be eaten up to 5 days after collection

Pure Chronos iDock Radio, at Mark's & Spencer
DAB digital and FM clock radio with iPod Dock IPod support: Dock supports iPod Classic, iPod Nano 3rd generation (video), iPod Touch, iPod mini, iPod with colour display, iPod 4th generation, iPod nano, iPod nano 2nd generation, iPod with video (5th generation). Supports iPod shuffle, iPod shuffle 2nd generation and iPod 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation via auxiliary input Frequency ranges: Band III 174-240 MHz, FM 87.5-108 MHz Speakers: Two 3" x 1.5" custom-wound oval drive units Input connectors: 9V DC power adaptor socket (230V supplied). 3.5mm Line-in for auxiliary devices. iPod connector with adapters Output connectors: 3.5mm stereo output for headphones Controls: Power on/standby, sleep, source, tune/select, menu, alarm, info, presets, volume, play/pause, stop, fast forward, rewind and snooze Remote: Infrared remote control, browse and play tracks stored on your iPod via remote control LCD display: LCD display with 16x2 characters, plus additional function icons (volume, time, alarms, signal strength, source selected, repeat and shuffle) and large clock. Features adjustable backlight (active and standby mode) with auto-dimmer Mains power supply: 230V AC to 9V DC external power adapter Aerial: Wire aerial attached Alarm: Four independent alarm settings, with wake to tone, DAB, FM or iPod Light sensor: Automatically adjusts the display brightness to suit the light levels in your room Text scan: Pause and control scrolling text RDS: RDS support for station name display on FM and RDS scrolling text 30 Presets: 30 combined DAB and FM presets in a combined list Dimensions: H12.5 x W19.5 x D18.5cm 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

Wide Waistband Dogtooth Tulip Skirt, at M&S
This season the tulip reigns supreme among skirts. This ultra-modern design has an oversized dogtooth check and looks great worn with opaque tights and shoe boots for an up-to-the-minute contemporary feel

Pure Cotton 3/4 Length Dolly Cardigan, at Marks & Spencer
This casual front open pure cotton cardigan makes the perfect light extra layer. It features button detail for an extra stylish touch

Autograph Daisy Print Tie, at Mark's & Spencer
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

Cotton Rich Below The Waist Skinny Jeans, at Marks and Spencer
Long and lean, skinny jeans are an edgy modern style. This stretchy pair sits below the waist and is cut to fit and flatter. Wear with some volume on your top half to balance the shape and give an even leggier look

Multi Strand Twist Necklace, at M+S
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Multi strand style Twist design Assorted beads Necklace length 49cm, extendable by 8cm

Blue Harbour Modal Blend Short Sleeve Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Stylishly smart casual, this contrast stitch detail shirt is made from a modal blend so it feels exceptionally comfortable to wear. Modal is a luxuriously soft fabric made from natural plant fibres

3/4 Sleeve Plain Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
This outstanding value 3/4 sleeve button top makes a stylish addition to your wardrobe. A great fashion choice for everyday wear

Triple Bead Drop Earrings, at Marks & Spencers
Hook fastening Drop style Triple bead design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Ponticello, Pinot Grigio di Sicilia 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Grigio Country of origin: Italy Closure: Synthetic closure Alcohol by volume: 12.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.4 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.6 You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

My First Sticker Book, at Marks and Spenser
Learning is easy with this big sticker book. Fun sticker activities and photographic pages are designed to introduce young children to key concepts, such as colours, numbers, letter practice, shapes and many more...

Per Una Silk Blend Rosa Knitted Top with Linen, at Mark & Spencers
A stylish 3/4 sleeve top featuring a scoop neck with fluted cuffs and hem. Comes with necklace shown

BT Studio 3500 Quad Pack Cordless Phones with Answering Machine, at Mark & Spencers
50 name and number phonebook Assign melodies to specific phonebook entries Caller display stores your last 40 numbers and displays their name and number each time they call Secrecy facility - allows you to talk to someone else in the room without the caller hearing 10 last number redial and recall Answer machine with up to 13 minutes digital recording time 2 pre-recorded outgoing messages - Answer and Record and Answer Only Earpiece, base station and handset ringer volume control Choice of 5 handset and 5 base ringer melodies Display language options GAP compatibility Talktime up to 10 hours, 30 minutes/standby time up to 160 hours Range of up to 300 metres outdoors/50 metres indoors Low battery and out of range warnings Switchboard compatible Answer delay setting Voice prompts Private playback via the handset Call screening/call intercept Memo facility Base unit loudspeaker Answer machine remote access Includes: 4 x BT Studio 3500 base, 4 x BT Studio 3000 handsets, 8 x NiMH AAA rechargeable batteries, 4 x mains power adaptors, 1 x telephone line 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

Limited Collection Pure Silk Beaded Blouse, at Marks & Spencer
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

Per Una Samba Frill Dress, at Marks & Spencer
A feminine knee length dress featuring a bold floral print and front frill design

Seed Embroidered Cushion, at Marks and Spencer
Rectangle shape Seed embroidered design L30 X W40, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Yellow Classic Rose Cake, at Marks & Spencers
36 portions Fruit cake: Vine fruits, nuts and cherries laced with brandy. Cake weight: 2.7kg. Fruit cakes 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: 20.5 x 20.5cm Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers Suitable for vegetarians As featured on page 68 in the food to order brochure Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Sweet Bergamot Inclusion Candle, at Mark's & Spencer
Scented Includes plate, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

4 Cup Le Teapot, at Marks and Spencer
Built-in filter Borosilicate glass bowl Heat resistant L21cm x W14cm x H23cm Diameter: 11cm 4 cup capacity, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Scarf Print Mock Layer T-Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
Smart and modern, this mock layer t-shirt in soft cotton is a practical easycare style

Earth Spa Skin Softening Shower Drench, at Marks & Spensers
Refreshes Soothes Hydrates 250ml

Rectangle Face Mesh Strap Watch, at M&S
Rectangle face Analogue Mesh strap

3 Fold Die Cut Presents Card, at Marks & Spenser
Cover Text: Happy Birthday Message: Have a Great Day This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 152 x 215mm

Pinwheel Cushion, at Marks and Spencer
Rectangular shape Embroidered pinwheel design L30 x W50cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Weekend Cotton Rich Straight Leg Jeans, at M&S
For everyday elegance, these Autograph Weekend straight leg jeans are ideal. Beautifully cut for a slender look, they're fabulously versatile and contemporary. Added stretch ensures a comfortable fit

Non-Wired Embroidered Floral Stripe Bra, at Marks & Spensers
Soft and comfortable, this embroidered detail bra is structured for secure support and an enhanced natural shape. Ideal for everyday wear

Soft Touch DacronŽ All Seasons Duvet, at Marks and Spencers
Joining duvet set Super-soft Dacron filling Non allergenic, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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