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 and Spencer are so useful. M&S Financial Services 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, 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 Financial Services 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 Financial Services Household Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

When you're shopping at M+S 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 Household Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks n 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."

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 Marks & Spencer, through its M&S Financial Services 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.

North Coast Pure Cotton Straight Leg Jeans, at Marks and Spencer
Stylish and comfortable, these straight leg jeans give a regular fit through the hip and thigh

Print Your Own Wedding Stationery: Die Cut Pink Heart Menu / Order of the Day, at Marks & Spencer
Pack contains: 10 x order of the day / service or menu cards, 12 x folded insert sheets, 10 ribbons, 1 sheet of glue dots and an instruction leaflet It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! 1. Follow the easy steps on the CD-ROM to create your personalised invitations. Print the insert sheets 2. Use the glue dots to secure the inserts inside the cards 3. Glue on the ribbon and tie in a bow to secure N.B. The CD-ROM is not included in the pack and is available separately Spend 10 on 'print your own' stationery and receive the CD-ROM FREE Approx size: 218 x 154mm

Pol Monnet Brut Champagne - Case of 6, at Mark's & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Noir Country of origin: France Bottle: 6 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

Football Pitch Son Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Happy birthday "It's in the net!" Son Inside message: With love This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 175 x 127mm

Collezione Pure Wool Single Pleat Pin Stripe Trousers, at Marks & Spencers
Add a smart dimension to your formal wardrobe with these single pleat trousers. Allowing for more hip room, they provide a clean, crisp and well turned out look

3D Floral Cushion, at Marks and Spenser
Square shape 3D floral design Felted fabric Luxury feather inner Size: 43cm x 43cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

M&S 1.5m Gold-Plated HDMI Cable, at Marks & Spencer
1.5 meter cable Conects HDMI to HDMI Gold-plated 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 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

Baby Face 'Just to Say' Multipack of Cards, at Mark & Spensers
Cover text: Just to say... Inside message: Blank for your own message Pack contains: 8 cards, 1 design Approx. size: 120mm x 120mm

Collections - N/O LANTERN, at Marks & Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Filigree Collection - Table Lamp, at Marks and Spencer
Organza fabric shade Metal base and frame Acrylic leaf droplets H53.5 x Diam 16.5cm 40W SES candle, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ultimate Non-Iron Pure Cotton Sateen Stripe Shirt, at Marks n Spencer
An innovative shirt in pure cotton. A special fabric finish and clever construction mean there is no need to iron this smart easycare shirt

Roberts RD-21 FM RDS/DAB Portable Digital Radio in Silver, at Marks and Spencer
FM/DAB wavebands FM RDS station name display and easy read 16 x 2 character LCD display Menu display/selection of all major functions Search/manual tuning Rotary tuning, volume, bass and treble controls Line output, headphones and AC mains socket Uses 6 x LR20 (D size) batteries (Not included) with up to 150 hours battery life W300 x H180 x D95mm Weight 2kg 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

Nail Care French Manicure Set, at Marks & Spencer
11ml bright white tip 11ml french pink 11ml top shine Easy to use glide-on white tip

Gardening Collection Books, at M & S
This collection includes three great gardening books (Small Gardens, Pots & Containers, A Year in your Garden), a Planning your Gardening Year poster and a handy notebook

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Floral Print Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Relaxed and stylish, this floral print shirt is made from pure cotton so it feels soft and comfortable to wear

Adored Modal Blend Minishirt, at M&S
Stylish and elegant, this flattering nightdress is part of our feminine Adored collection. It's made from a soft modal blend for the ultimate in comfort

Matt Finish Metal Photo Frame 10 x 15cm (4 x 6''), at Marks & Spencers
Wide border Matt finish Rectangle shape Aperture: 10 x 15cm (4 x 6''), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Lucie Strand Drop Earrings, at Marks n Spencer
Hook fastening Drop style Bead design

5 Floral Embroidered Bikini Knickers, at Marks and Spencer
These floral embroidered cotton rich bikinis are perfect for everyday wear. Added stretch gives a comfortable fit and shape retention

Single Breasted 3 Button Stitch Detail Jacket, at M&S
Fashionable and modern, this tailored single breasted jacket features three button fastening and stitch detail. A smart and stylish choice

Cotton Rich Tartan Shirt & Plain T-Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
This fashionable layered look is a 2 piece set - a t-shirt and shirt both in soft comfortable cotton. Stylish, practical and easycare

The Floral Collection Lavender Moisture Rich Hand Wash, at Marks & Spenser
Lavender fragrance Moisture rich Hand wash 250ml

Portfolio Pure Silk Floral & Spot Print Lightweight Scarf, at Marks & Spensers
Add a luxurious finishing touch to your look with this elegant pure silk floral and spot print scarf. The perfect accessory to this season's styles

Handcrafted Fabulous Mum Mother's Day Card, at Mark's & Spencer
Cover text: To my Fabulous Mum On Mother' Day Inside message: With all my love Approx size: Unfolded: 178 x 126mm

Pure Cotton Scoop Neck Stripe T-Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
This fashionable top features a stylish scoop neck and stripe design for a cool contemporary look

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Check Shirt, at Marks & Spenser
Relaxed casual style for less! This pure cotton shirt is outstanding value

Cotton Rich Long Sleeve Hooded Jacket, at Mark & Spencers
Soft and comfy, this sporty hooded jacket makes a practical and fashionable choice

Older Boys' Bart Simpson Swimming Shorts, at Marks & Spensers
These Simpson shorts are sure to make a splash. The contrasting drawstring waist helps give a secure fit. Fashionable, practical and easycare

2 Piece Pure Cotton Giraffe Top & Bottoms Outfit, at Marks and Spencer
Fun and practical, this cute 2-piece outfit features a giraffe print. It's made from soft pure cotton to keep him comfy. Part of our fabulously stylish Limited Collection

Bright Balloons Roll Wrap, at Marks & Spencer
Includes 1 roll wrap 150 x 70cm

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 Marks & Spencers 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 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.