When you're shopping at Marks & Spencer 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 Home 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."

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Finance. Not least of these is Marks and Spencers Standard Car Insurance. With M&S Finance you can keep the cost of your Car Insurance down by choosing Standard cover, over Premier Cover. UK Vehicle can then be added to your policy as optional extras, if you wanted to.

If you're thinking of adding both Breakdown Cover and Motor Legal Protection, then it would cost less to upgrade to Premier Car Insurance cover from M&S Finance, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from Marks & Spenser, and these include: Courtesy car (subject to availability); Loss, theft, damage and destruction of vehicle; Loss or damage to personal property in vehicle; Personal accident cover up to £10,000; Windscreen cover (£75 excess); a 24 hour claims service, and many other options as standard on each policy. In short, with Car Insurance from M&S Finance, you get more, and you pay less.

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 Mark's & 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, 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.

Dancing Dotty Daughter Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover Text: Happy Birthday Daughter! Inside Message: With lots of love Approx size: 215 x 152mm

M&S Ruby & Midnight 2-Slice Toaster - Red, at Marks & Spencers
Polished red and stainless steel finish 7 browning levels Defrost and reheat setting Cancel setting Removable crumb tray for simple cleaning Anti-slip base

Wallace & Gromit Double Sided 500 Piece Jigsaw, at Mark's & Spencer
Number of jigsaw pieces: 500 Double sided Approx. size of completed puzzle: 960 x 170mm 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 Merano 2-Seater Unit (Left-Hand Arm), at Marks & Spensers
H84 x W172 x D102cm Seat H47cm, arm H63cm, top back rail H63cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions made from shape-retaining foam with extra-thick fibre wrap - 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 have reversible cushions Available in fixed cushion covers only 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 Glide feet with a dark finish 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

Wool Blend Flat Front Straight Leg Trousers, at M & S
Smart and stylish, these trousers are made from a hardwearing wool blend with added stretch. An ideal choice for work or everyday wear

Abbey Compact 2-Seater Sofa, at Marks & Spencer
H95 x W176 x D97cm Seat H54cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Fabric options feature reversible 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 dark finish 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 samples: 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 than fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Luxury Mattress - Medium, at Mark & Spencers
Single (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super King Size (6ft): W180 x L200cm Spring count: 2200 Independently pocketed springs in two layers Lambs wool, cotton and loose hair filling Cotton-felt provides a soft-surface with wool holds fillings in place Hand-stitched sides support mattress wall and extend sleeping area Anti-allergy protected for the life of the mattress Does not require turning 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

Animal Print Trim Bodyshaper Swimsuit, at Marks and Spencer
Modern and stylish, this stylish swimsuit shapes and smoothes your figure, giving you a flattering fit. Designed to fit and flatter

North Coast Pure Cotton Bootleg Jeans with Belt, at Marks & Spenser
Relaxed and comfortable, these pure cotton bootleg jeans give a fashionable casual look

Limited Collection Cross Body Bag, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable, comfortable and secure, this cross-body bag features an adjustable strap and zip fastening pocket. A practical and stylish accessory

M&S 4GB SD Memory Card, at M&S
Read (MB /s): 18MB Write (MB /s): 6MB Available capacity: 3890MB 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

Orchid Gift Card, at M+S
Can be redeemed in any of our UK stores and online Credit card-sized Gift Card with presentation greetings card Gift Cards can be topped up in stores to the maximum value of 500 Gift Cards are valid for 24 months after last use Frequently asked questions Click here to view frequently asked questions about our Gift Cards Click here for full Gift Card terms and conditions This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Baby Driver, at Marks and Spencer
Baby driver Suitable for ages 0-3 years Encourages activity and develops interactive play This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive 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, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Floral Mesh Bodyshaper Tights, at Marks and Spencer
Bodyshaper tights are made to shape and lift your curves for a firm sculpted look. Added stretch moulds your figure for a more defined silhouette

Stoneburn Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - Case of 6, at Mark's & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Country of origin: New Zealand Closure: Screwcap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 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

Autograph 2 Piece Pure Cotton Hooded Outfit, at MarksandSpencer
Fun and practical, this cute 2 piece outfit features contrast trim. It's made from soft cotton to keep him comfy. With luxury in every detail, this is part of our exclusive Autograph collection

Classic Bear Christening Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Christening, Sent with love on your special day... Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Travel Speakers, at Marks&Spencer
Portable size 4 x 1.5V AAA batteries included Specially designed sound chamber with heavy casing to provide extra bass. Built in amplifier Unique retractable speaker from the main body and speaker to give you stereo sound. 3.5mm jack for connecting to your CD or MP3 player or your computer Power switch on/off with LED light For added functionality and portability, the speakers can be powered either through an AC adapter or with batteries Remove isolator tab before use 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

Sonoma Dark 3-Door Glazed Top Unit, at Marks & Spenser
H110 x W179 x D33cm 6 glass shelves Glass doors and shelves made from toughened safety glass Internal lights with on/off switch This top unit is designed to sit on the Sonoma Dark 3-Drawer Sideboard. Click hereto view the Sideboard Made from solid oak and oak veneer Features natural wood characteristics - knots, figuring, colour variation and end-grain detail Finished with a rich dark stain, followed by 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Side panels and back panels made from White Oak veneer Top panels made from White Oak veneer with a solid Oak edging for strength All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Why use veneers? Unlike solid timber, veneer does not twist/warp/split to the same degree. Only the finest logs are used in veneer production. It is environmentally sound and traditional - much of the finest cabinetry in the world is veneered. Care & Cleaning - Wipe with a soft clean cloth and use a mild furniture cleaner or polish occasionally. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more SAVE ON SETS Save at least 25% when you buy this top unit as part of a set. Click here to view the Dark Sonoma Collection Set. , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Hastings Triple Wardrobe & 2 Bedside Chests Set, at Marks & Spencers
Wardrobe: H188 x W138 x D54cm Bedside chest: H58 x W47 x D43cm Wardrobe has 1 hanging rail and 3 shelves Bedside chest has 2 drawers Crafted predominantly from solid pine and fibreboard All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Care & Cleaning - Wipe with a soft clean cloth and use a mild furniture cleaner or polish occasionally. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Short Sleeve Fine Stripe T-Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Whether you're heading for bed or relaxing at home, this comfortable t-shirt is great for chilling out in style. Mix and match with our pyjama bottoms

Spot Print Bikini Top, at Marks & Spenser
Modern and stylish, this bikini is outstanding value. Style and quality at a great price

Petite Single Breasted 1 Button Chevron Dart Jacket, at M&S
Fashionable and modern, this tailored single breasted jacket features chevron dart stitch detail. A smart and stylish choice. Specially designed and perfectly proportioned for the petite frame

Machine Washable Twin Pleat Trousers with Wool, at M+S
These trousers are a wardrobe staple. They are tailored from a wool blend fabric with elastane lycra for durability, good crease recovery and comfort in wear. What's more, you can machine wash and tumble-dry them - the ultimate convenience

Portfolio Petite Ruffle Front Blouse, 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.

Leather Stitch Detail Belt, at Marks and Spencer
This leather stitch belt is ideal for wearing with casual styles

36 Indian Selection with a Tomato & Chilli Dip, at Marks & Spencers
Contains 36 pieces Serves 8 Ready to cook Suitable for freezing Suitable for vegetarians 880g As featured on page 15 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

XBOX 360® Premium Bundle, at Marks & Spencers
Includes Project Gotham Racing 3 and XBOX Live Arcade Unplugged 20GB hard drive Wireless controller Headset voice communicator 1 month free XBOX Live Gold subscription Component HD AV cable Video Camera Ready Memory unit support starting at 64 MB Supports 4 wireless game controllers Multichannel surround sound output HD digital and standard audio visual outputs Built in ethernet port Wi-Fi ready 3 USB slots Removable faceplate 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

Stripe Halterneck Bikini Top, at Marks and Spencers
Fabulously fashionable, this bikini top is outstanding value. Style and quality at a great price

My First Wood Hammer & Pegs, at Marks & Spensers
Suitable for ages 0-3 years Includes wood side panel, wood bench, plastic rings, pegs and beater This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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, Sainsbury's, 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 Finance UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.