M&S Money Direct offers a variety of financial and insurance products, but Motor Insurance is something that almost everyone needs - at least if you own a car. Unfortunately there are so many companies offering Motor Insurance today that, after a while, one policy may begin to look much like the next.

Thinking that most Motor 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 Motor Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Motor Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M&S Money Direct Motor Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Motor 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 Spenser 5 Star Premier cover Motor Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Motor Insurance plans from companies such as Direct Line, Sainsburys, 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 Motor 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 Direct UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

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 and 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 Marks and Spencer, through its M&S Money Direct website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Property Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

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

Older Boys' Camouflage Clog Sandals, at Marks & Spencer
Multi air hole feature Camouflage design Adjustable strap with riptape fastening Flat sole

Silver Plated Knot Stretch Bracelet, at M&S
Stretch bracelet Knot design

Blue Harbour Pure Linen 3/4 Length Shorts, at Marks and Spencers
Relaxed and casual, these fashionable3/4 length shorts are made from cool soft linen and feature side pockets

Per Una Short Sleeve Stripe knitted Top, at Marks & Spenser
A gorgeous short sleeve knitted top in a soft cotton blend, the scallop trim gives it the Per Una touch

Chrome Shower Squegee, at Marks & Spensers
Chrome plated Hook storage for squeegee Wide replaceable squeegee blade Dimensions: H28 x W20cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Old School Sunglasses, at Marks&Spencer
Providing essential protection for the eyes, these stylish and wearable shades will flatter most face shapes

2 Pure Cotton All-in-One Suits & Socks Set, at Marks and Spenser
Cute and practical, this 2 piece suit features a tiger motif and print. The soft cotton fabric will keep him comfy and the popper fastenings are great for fuss-free changes

Freshfeet Suede Lace-Up Moccasins, at Marks & Spenser
Round toe Stitch detail Lace-up Flat sole Lined With built in Freshtech™ technology for fresh, odour-free slippers Freshtech™ technology is permanently built in to the slipper and still performs after many washes Freshtech™ technology combats the bacteria that causes bad smells and odours

Adjustable Task Floor Lamp, at Marks and Spenser
Antique-effect brass finish Height adjustable between 147cm and 178cm H167 x Diam 37cm Frosted glass shade Bulb: E27 60W GLS This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Samsung 55'' LE55B650 TV HD Ready LCD Crystal TV™, at Marks & Spencer
HD Ready 1080p: Displays images in Full HD 1080p, the maximum resolution defined for HDTV use, when connected to an HD compatible device Display: 55 inch LCD screen, 1920 x 1080 resolution Dynamic contrast ratio: Ultra Contrast Integrated Digital Tuner: Provides access to all Freeview™ terrestrial digital channels and radio stations (subject to coverage in your area) Dimensions: W131 x D30.8 x H89.4cm (with stand), W131 x D7.9 x H84.1cm (without stand) Weight: 37.2kg (with stand), 28.8kg (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 Clear Panel Prevents glare to keep images clean and clear Use wall mount T042104 to perfectly mount this TV, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Spot Print Tankini, at Marks & Spencer
Modern and stylish, this comfortable tankini is sure to make a splash!

Single Pleat Crease Resistant Formal Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
Adopt a fuss-free approach to formal dressing with the crease resistant fabric of these sharp trousers, allowing you to stay looking smarter for longer

Autograph Multi Bar Cufflinks, at M+S
Provide the perfect finish to your smart attire with the elegant design of these sophisticated cufflinks

Rocaille Snake Twist Necklace, at Marks and Spencer
Twisted layer design Rocaille beads Adjustable clasp fastening Length: 40cm

2 Assorted Underwired T-Shirt Bras, at Marks and Spencer
Smooth and versatile, this pack of 2 t-shirt bras is great value. They're designed to give gentle support and a flattering fit

Pure Cotton Lounge Shorts, at Marks and Spencer
Create your own look by mixing and matching these pure cotton pyjama bottoms with our tops and t-shirts. Great for relaxing in style whether you're heading for bed or just chilling out at home

Butterfly Text Wedding Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: Wedding, With love on your Special Day Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 220 x 220mm

Tribeca Corner Chaise (Left-Hand), at Marks & Spencers
H90 x W276 x D99cm Seat H46cm (all dimensions are approximate) Length L203cm Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Other cushions filled with polyester fibre. Gives a soft sit with a lived-in look, which will soften and relax even further with use. Fibre is sewn into channels within the interior to prevent settlement in one area of the cushion Fabric options feature reversible cushions Includes 3 matching scatter cushions Frame made from solid hardwood. All main joints are glued and screwed to give the frame strength Frames are rigorously tested with 95kg weight equivalent and exceed standards set for heavy domestic use Solid birch feet with a medium finish Can be arranged to fit both left and right room corners All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence™ - a stain resistant finish - at no extra cost. Fabrics are tested for resistance to wear and fading Detailed care instructions are included 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 Free swatch service: Order up to 6 free swatch samples of any fabric to help you choose your upholstery by calling 0845 603 1 603 Please note: Images displayed here act as a guide and may not be representative of the finished item. Fabrics are overlayed onto model images, so actual seams and pattern match may differ from what is shown. Leather furniture, in particular, has more seams that fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Firm Control Lace High Waist Knickers, at Marks n Spencer
Look slimmer in seconds! These firm control knickers gently flatten tummies for a sleeker, slimmer silhouette

Wavy Embroidered A-Line Mini Skirt, at Marks and Spencers
Elegant and feminine, this a-line embroidered skirt is a look you'll love. Stylish, practical and fashionable

Portfolio Twist Scoop Neck Jersey Top, at Mark's & Spencer
Part of Portfolio's Parisienne trend. Feel bold and chic in this feminine look inspired by Parisian style. With a striking colour palette of cream, ruby, black and dove grey, this is a style-conscious trend for the new season

4 Pairs of Autograph Bold Stripe Socks, at Marks and Spencer
Modern and fashionable, these stripe socks are part of our exclusive Autograph collection

Stripe Seat Pad, at M & S
Tie fastening Stripe design Padded, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

5 Plain Shorts, at Marks & Spensers
Embrace flattering everyday comfort with the high leg cut and easy to care for fabric of these great value shorts. A fantastic addition to your underwear drawer

Autograph Pure Cashmere Stripe Hooded Cardigan, at Marks and Spencers
Soft and snuggly, this practical pure cashmere hooded cardigan will keep her feeling warm and comfortable. With luxury in every detail, this is part of our exclusive Autograph collection

New 8GB Apple iPod Touch, at Marks & Spensers
Holds up to 1,750 songs, 10,000 iPod-viewable photos, and 10 hours of video or some of each Genius feature finds the songs in your library that go great together and makes a Genius playlist for you Accelerometer - detects when you rotate it from portrait to landscape, then automatically changes the contents of the display 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display. 480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch Ambient light sensor Built-in volume controls and speaker - Volume buttons built into the left side give you easy access to the most frequently used controls Built-in Wi-Fi - Surf the web and view your email Cover Flow - flip through your album art Play games with stunning 3D graphics. Tilt, move, and play accelerometer-inspired games. Use Multi-Touch to give you precise, fingertip control over game elements. (games available separately) Contoured stainless steel design Built-in speaker - lets you hear the music, dialogue, and action without headphones, perfect for casual listening Nike + iPod support - Slip the Nike + iPod Sensor (available separately) into your Nike+ shoe and start your run. The sensor communicates wirelessly with your iPod touch, tracking your time, distance, and calories burned. It even gives you voice feedback on your progress. Works with new cardio equipment available in many fitness centres Dimensions: H11 x W6.2 x D0.8cm Weight: 115 grams For Mac and Windows. Requires Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional or Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery capable of up to 36 hours of audio playback or 6 hours of video playback In the box: iPod touch, Polishing cloth, earphones, USB 2.0 cable, dock adaptor, Quick Start guide 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

Floral Cosmetic Purse, at Marks & Spencers
Matching mirror Floral detail

Pure Cotton Animal Print Sarong, at Marks and Spencers
Feminine and pretty, this fashionable sarong features a striking animal print. The ultimate in poolside glamour

Sprung-Edge Divan with 1 Small + 1 Large Drawer & F100 Mattress, at Marks & Spencer
Single Mattress (3ft): W90cm x L190cm Single Divan (3ft): W90cm x L190cm Mattress depth: 24cm Divan Height: 41cm Large Drawer: H14 x W78 x D52cm, Small Drawer: H14 x W40 x D52cm Smaller drawers at the head end are designed to open without moving your bedside table Open coil mattresses provide a hard-wearing and supportive background 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

Age Defence Radiance Energising Mask, at Marks & Spencers
75ml Suitable for all skin types Hypoallergenic

When you're shopping at Marks & Spenser 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 Direct. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Property Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks and Spenser than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from M&S Money Direct. 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 Direct, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Money Direct 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."