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 Spenser are so useful. M&S Finance 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, House Insurance policies. Usually, UK House 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 House 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 House Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

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 & 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 and Spencer, 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 Motor Insurance, M&S House Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Besides Marks & Spenser Motor Insurance, M&S Finance Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Finance House 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 Mark's & Spencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Finance Premier House Insurance and Standard House 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.

Silver Plated Sparkle Loop Necklace & Earring Set, at Marks&Spencer
2 part set Butterly stud fastening earrings Clasp fastening necklace with adjustable length Loop design Diamant detail

Drench Sponge, at M+S
Contains 1 sponge

Dogs Photographic Calendar, at Marks & Spencers
Month-to-view Approx. size: 225 x 390mm

Pure Cotton Floral Embroidered Tablecloth, at Marks & Spencers
Embroidered floral detail, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Portfolio Mixed Bead Stretch Bracelet, at Marks&Spencer
Stretch fit Wide style Mixed bead detail

Ceriso Silk Blend Spot Print Padded Bra, at Marks and Spencer
Flirty and fashionable, this glamorous bra is made from silk mix fabric with a spot print, finished with a lace trim. It's underwired for extra support and the padded plunge style gives a fabulous enhanced cleavage. Designed for women who want the latest look

Magic Loc Collection Robe Hook, at Mark & Spensers
Single hook Wall mounted This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Single Pleat Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and stylish, these trousers are made from a soft pure cotton. An ideal choice for work or everyday wear

M&S Midnight 4-Slice Toaster, at M&S
Toast up to 4 slices Variable browning control Defrost, reheat and cancel buttons High lift facility Stainless steel finish H22 x W46 x D21cm 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, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Stitched Flowers Wedding Card, at Mark & Spensers
Cover text: Wedding Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx. size: 175 mm x 127 mm

Floral Polka Dot Small Wedding Photograph Album, at Marks & Spencer
Album and gift box 105 glue dots 700Mb CD-R Album: H155 x W200 x D33mm Box: H168 x W215 x D40mm

Ingredients Papaya Exfoliating Shower Scrub, at Marks & Spencers
Exfoliating body scrub Papaya fragranced 200ml

Fairtrade Pure Cotton V-Neck T-Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
This stylish short sleeve t-shirt is a good deal for you and for our Fairtrade farmers. It's made from 100% Fairtrade cotton, helping local farmers to invest in developing their own communities

Portfolio Lightweight Tulip Print Scarf Wrap, at Mark & Spencers
Add a fashionable finishing touch to your look with this elegant tulip print scarf wrap. The perfect accessory to this season's styles

Crystal Nail File, at MarksandSpencer
The pattened design surface is ideal for gently shaping and smoothing nails Durable surface that is fully washable Perfect size for slipping into your handbag

Autograph Silk Blend Jacquard Blouse, at Marks & Spencers
Part of Autograph's Luxe Tradition trend. Luxurious and contemporary with a sense of British heritage, this trend features a soft colour palette, modern prints and beautiful fabrics. A sophisticated look for the new season

Per Una Water Repellent Faux Fur Hooded Parka, at Marks & Spenser
A casual hooded parka featuring a funnel neck. Faux fur detail makes it extra stylish.

Wide Leg Drawstring Trousers, at M+S
Fluid and feminine, these wide leg trousers are cut to flatter, giving an elegant silhouette. A stylish, fashionable look

Blue Harbour Cotton Rich Stretch Denim Jeans, at Mark's & Spencer
Relaxed and casual, these straight leg jeans are made with stretch for comfort and ease of movement

Pure Cotton Tatty Teddy Denim Skirt, at Marks & Spencers
Cute and comfy, this pure cotton tatty teddy denim skirt is made from denim for a fashionable casual look

Older Girls' Holiday Toe Post Sandals, at Marks & Spensers
Round toe Toe post design Flat sole Slip-on style Plain

Girlie Dress Up Jotter Box, at Marks and Spencer
Contains: 1 jotter box and 1 pad of notepaper H11.3 x W11.2 x D9cm

Sterling Silver Diamanté Cube Necklace & Earring Set, at M+S
2 part set Stud fastening earrings Clasp fastening necklace with pendant Cube design Diamant detail

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Mariella Blouse, at Marks and Spencers
A fashionable 3/4 sleeve blouse featuring a floral print and front tie fastening

Per Una Multi Heart Cluster Rope Necklace, at Marks & Spencers
Tie fastening Multi heart cluster design Rope necklace Necklace length: 78cm

Autograph Weekend 3/4 Sleeve Lace Print Top, at Marks & Spensers
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.

Ultimate Crossword Puzzle Book, at Marks & Spencer
Contains over 600 crosswords, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ultimate Non Iron Pure Cotton Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
This smart cotton shirt has been specially treated so it stays crease-free, even after washing. Technology that's exclusive to us, and ideal for you

Cotton Rich Coolmax® Fitted Sheet, at Mark's & Spencer
Plain Easycare Perfect for use with our range of cool cotton duvets and protectors 220 thread count for a smooth crisp finish that requires minimal ironing Comes in single, double, kingsize and super-kingsize, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Crocodile Derby Lace-Up Shoes, at Mark's & Spencer
Luxurious and stylish, these leather shoes are part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Their superior quality, design and attention to detail make them modern classics

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 MarksandSpencer 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 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 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.