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 M&S are so useful. M&S Finance financial products are, of course, designed to make MarksandSpencer 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, Home Insurance policies. Usually, UK Home 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 Home 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 Home Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Besides Marks & Spencer Motor Insurance, M&S Finance Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Finance Home Insurance deserves particular mention, with it being particularly good value for money, and providing extra insurance cover that many UK insurance companies either don't provide at all, or would charge extra for.

With M&S Finance Premier Contents policy, for example, student's belongings are not only covered at home, but also at college or university. Additionally, dependent relatives are also covered if their belongings happen to be in a nursing home. Even better still, your Marks and Spenser purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Finance Premier Home Insurance and Standard Home Insurance policies, you can choose to include Contents Away From Home. This option would then provide valuable cover all of your personal belongings on a worldwide basis.

Shopping for financial products at M&S Finance UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks and Spenser online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the M&S Finance website:

• M&S Insurance: M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Home Insurance, M&S Life Insurance, M&S Wedding Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance
• M&S Credit Cards: M&S Credit Card, M&S Premium Club Card
• M&S Loans: M&S Car Buying Plan, M&S Personal Loans
• M&S Money: M&S Travel Money for your trips abroad
• M&S Savings: M&S Everyday Savings Account, M&S Fixed Rate Savings, M&S Stocks & Shares ISA, M&S Cash ISA, M&S Unit Trust

Of course, many of these types of product can be purchased elsewhere too; however, once you begin to take a closer look at the products from Marks & Spencers, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

And, just as importantly, contacting M&S Finance in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the M&S Finance website.

Autograph Mock Crocodile Padlock Jewellery Box, at Marks & Spencer
Carry handle Padlock Mock crocodile effect Internal mirror Various sized compartments 3 drawers 23 x 17.5 x 14cm

Stormwear™ Leather Gibson Shoes, at Marks & Spencers
Round toe Lace up Stitch detail 4 eyelets Block heel Stormwear™ technology repels water and stains Available in half sizes

Classic Collection Pure Cotton Pull on Trousers, at Mark & Spencers
Effortlessly stylish, these easycare pull on trousers are finished with smart decorative buttons at the waist. They're designed to give a comfortable, flattering fit and make a perfect match for fashionable tops and t-shirts

Petite Long Sleeve Ribbed Oblong Cardigan, at Marks&Spencer
Modern and stylish, this oblong cardigan features ribbed design . A great work-to-evening style. Specially designed and perfectly proportioned for the petite frame

5 Luxury Pure Cotton Patterned Handkerchiefs, at Marks and Spencer
A great value pack of pure cotton handkerchiefs

Formula Skincare For Men Aftershave Balm, at Mark's & Spencer
Soothes Moisturises Non-greasy balm

Per Una Short Sleeve Stripe Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
A fashionable short sleeve stripe cardigan in a soft cotton blend. The tie bow neck feature makes it extra stylish

In Bloom Orchid & Vanilla Fragranced Candle, at Marks & Spenser
Orchid and vanilla fragrance Burns upto 20 hours, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Marcella Stud Dinner Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
Made for your added convenience, this pure cotton shirt is a smart step in the right direction, thanks to a handsome marcella design

Autograph Leather Lace-Up Shoes by Jeffery-West, at MarksandSpencer
Square toe Punched hole 4 eyelets Lace-up Block heel Tramline design Designed exclusively for Autograph by Jeffery-West

Pure Linen Embroidered Ginko Cushion, at Marks & Spencers
Square shape Embroidered design Hand sequins linen cushion with feather inner Lined L50 x W50cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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

Limited Collection Slouch Leather Bag, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable and fabulous, this gathered design handbag is designed in one of this season's key shapes. It's strong and practical as well as a trend-conscious accessory. Get the latest look!

Ditsy Floral Print Bedset, at Mark & Spencers
Ditsy floral print Single set includes single duvet cover (3ft) and 1 pillowcase Double set includes double duvet cover (4ft 6in) and 2 pillowcases King size includes king size duvet cover (5ft) and 2 pillowcases, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Couple Dancing Wedding Card, at Marks & Spenser
Cover text: To a special couple with all out Love On your Wedding Day Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: Unfolded: 178 x 126mm

Assorted Bead Multi Strand Necklace, at M+S
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Assorted beads Multi strand design Necklace length: 46cm, extendable by 8cm

Platinum Plated Diamanté Sparkle Band Ring, at Marks & Spenser
Add instant sparkling style with this gorgeous platinum plated band ring, set with dazzling diamant

Playmobil Dogs & Puppies Toy, at Marks & Spencers
Suitable for 4+ years Features 2 dogs, 3 pups, 1 child figure, kennel and accessories! This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Wool Blend Single Breasted 2 Button Pinstripe Jacket, at M&S
Luxurious and elegant, this smartly tailored wool blend jacket is part of our exclusive Autograph range

Wavy Embellished Skirt, at Marks and Spencer
Long and lovely, this panelled skirt features embellishment detail. Stylish, practical and fashionable

Alice in Wonderland Book with Charm, at Marks and Spencer
This magical tale is beautifully illustrated, binging Alice's adventures to life. Lewis Carroll's popular tale has been retold with clear and simple test providing a wonderful introduction to Alice in Wonderland

Pure Silk Geometric Print Lightweight Scarf, at Marks and Spencers
Add a luxurious finishing touch to your look with this elegant pure silk stripe design scarf. The perfect accessory to this season's styles

Playmobil Tractor with Hay Trailer, at M+S
Suitable for ages 3+ Includes working front loader The cargo container can be tilted and the side walls flip down This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Lace Body Jersey Top with Camisole, at Marks n Spencer
A gorgeous lace body jersey top with camisole featuring embroidered neckline trim and three button detail

Gold Band Champagne Glass, at MarksandSpencer
Flute style Gold band Long stem Wide base Height: 27.5 cm Capacity: 14cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Casa Leona Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Cabernet Country of origin: Chile Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.5 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.8 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Mosaic Bathmats, at Marks & Spencers
Mosaic pattern Cotton mats Bathmat dimensions: L80 x W60cm Pedestal mat dimensions: L55 x W50cm Bath mat and pedestal mat must be purchased separately, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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

Footglove™ Wide Fit Bow Wedge Shoes, at Marks & Spencer
Put your best foot forward with these stylish Footglove™ shoes in soft leather. They're lightweight, flexible and exceptionally comfortable

Blue Harbour Trekking Shorts, at Marks and Spencer
These classic shorts are an excellent addition to any causal wardrobe thanks to a smart, easy to wear design. Team with a long sleeve shirt or plain tee for an effortless summer look

M&S Finance 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 Finance 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 Mark & Spensers 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 Finance UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.