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 & 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, Sainsburys, 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.

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

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 MarksandSpencer 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, 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 Finance 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 Finance Buildings & Contents Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Blue Harbour Short Sleeve Multi Grid Check Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
A fashionable look without the fuss. This multi grid check shirt is quick and easy to iron

Magic Firm Control Smooth DD-G Body, at Marks and Spencers
This clever body works like magic with targeted control areas to shape you where you need it most. It's comfortable, breathable and easy to move in and a special finish keeps you cool and dry

5 Pairs of Older Girls' Cotton Rich Assorted Socks, at Marks & Spencer
Fun and fashionable, this pack of 5 pairs of cotton rich socks features assorted design

Union Jack Keyring, at Marks and Spenser
You'll never lose your keys again with this eye-catching Union Jack keyring

Fruity-Beauty Bath Pick 'n' Mix Pack, at Marks and Spencer
Pack of 10 Assorted fragrances

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

Autograph Wool Rich Slim Fit Suit Jacket, at M+S
Slim fit jackets are cut closer for a cleaner sharper silhouette. Designed in a contemporary style, they give a longer, leaner appearance and a flattering fit. This hardwearing wool rich suit jacket is ideal for sixth form wear

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Dora The Explorer Top, at M & S
Fans of Dora The Explorer will love this pure cotton top featuring the popular character. A practical, easycare style.

Pure Cotton Dino Top & Joggers Outfit, at M+S
Soft, comfy and cute, this top and joggers outfit is outstanding value!

Round Face Faux Crocodile Print Watch, at M&S
Round face Metallic rim Analouge Large numerals Faux crocodile print strap

Double Buckle Snake Print Handbag, at Marks and Spencers
Get bags of style! This snake print handbag is a fabulous fashionable accessory. Handy compartments make it useful and practical too

Pure Cotton Animal Hooded Reversible Jacket, at M&S
The animal print makes this little jacket super cute. It's warmly padded and made from soft cotton to keep him comfy and cosy

Tyrrell's Single Vineyard Belford Hunter Chardonnay 2005 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry, oaked Grape variety: Chardonnay Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.1 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.7 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Handcrafted Westies Valentine Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover Text: I Love You... Inside mesage: Be my Valentine This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 230 x 114mm

Little Red Riding Hood, at Marks and Spencer
Little Red Riding Hood is the classic fairytale, re-written especially for first readers. A charming storybook that will be a big hit with your little first time readers

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

Supima® Ribbed Vest, at Marks and Spencer
Supima cotton known as the world's finest cotton. It's renowned for its superior strength, enhanced durability and sumptuous feel

Gold Plated Diamanté Cross Necklace, at Marks n Spencer
Diamant detail Thin chain Necklace length 41cm, extendable by 8cm

Handcrafted Peter Rabbit Easter Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Happy Easter Inside message: blank for your own message Approx size: 230 x 114mm BEATRIX POTTER™ Frederick Warne & Co. 2009 Frederick Warne & Co. is the owner of all copyrights and trademarks in the Beatrix Potter characters names and illustrations. Licensed by opyrights group

3 °Climate Control Cotton Rich Hipsters, at Marks and Spencer
Climate control keeps you cool when you're hot and warms you up when you're cold so you're always at your optimum temperature. Exclusive to M&S, Climate control clothing is comfortable and breathable - ideal for sportswear. The Outlast technology behind this innovative fabric was originally developed for astronauts and is recognised by NASA as Certified Space Technology

Multi Floral Padded Underwired Bra, at Marks n Spencer
Sleek and stylish, this bra is perfectly smooth so there are no visible outlines under clothing. Light padding and underwiring give an enhanced natural shape. Designed for women who want a streamlined silhouette

Modal Blend Button Placket Bib T-Shirt, at M & S
Pretty and feminine, this fashionable long sleeve t-shirt is made from supersoft fabric that looks and feels great. Modern styling details give a contemporary edge

Pure Cotton Denim Jacket, at Marks and Spencers
Stylish and fashionable, this pure cotton denim jacket makes a comfortable and practical choice

Autograph Anti-Feathering Lipstick, at Marks & Spencer
Colour rich Anti-feathering Hypo-allergenic

Autograph Eyeshadow Brush, at Marks n Spencer
Handmade Enables you to achieve a controlled light and even coverage

Autograph Jewel Cufflinks, at Marks and Spencers
Provide the perfect finish to your smart attire with the elegant design of these sophisticated cufflinks

Per Una Assorted Charms Necklace, at Marks and Spenser
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Assorted charms Necklace length 40cm, extendable by 8cm

Autograph Weekend Knitted Cowl Neck Dress with Merino Wool, at Marks and Spencers
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

2 Pairs Sheer Fishnet Knee High Tights, at Mark's & Spencer
Give those longer skirts, dresses and trousers a shimmering finish with the sleek design of these great knee highs. A reinforced toe and added stretch provide lasting comfort

Baglio Nero D'Avola 2007 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencers
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Nero d'Avola Country of origin: Italy Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegans Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.8 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

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 Spencers 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 & Spenser, 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 Buildings & Contents Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.