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 and Spenser 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.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Finance. Not least of these is Marks & 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 & Spencers, 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 Marks and Spencers 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.

Per Una Button Long Sleeve Cardigan, at Marks & Spenser
A beautiful long sleeve blouse in pure soft cotton featuring an open neck design and button detail

Stainless Steel Under Sink Storage Unit, at Marks & Spencer
3 tier Shelf H71 x D33 x W58cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Neutrals Giraffe Book of 1st, at Marks and Spencers
An exciting introduction to the world of playtime, this activity toy will have them entertained for hours of fun

Satin Spot Print Shirt with Belt, at Mark & Spensers
This fab short sleeve shirt features a stunning spot and empire line design. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season

Older Girls' Mixed Bead Wide Brim Hat, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionable and fabulous, this wide brim hat adds a stylish finishing touch

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Space Dog T-Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
Fun and fashionable, this pure cotton long sleeve dog t-shirt is outstanding value!

White Ceramic Collection Soap Dispenser, at Marks & Spencer
Part of the White Ceramic collection. A bright, clean look for your bathroom at an outstanding value price

Wide Waistband Dogtooth Tulip Skirt, at Mark's & Spencer
This season the tulip reigns supreme among skirts. This ultra-modern design has an oversized dogtooth check and looks great worn with opaque tights and shoe boots for an up-to-the-minute contemporary feel

Autograph Exclusive Pure Silk Maxi Length Cover Up, at MarksandSpencer
Luxurious and exclusive, this glamorous cover up is beautifully designed in a flattering, fashionable silhouette for the ultimate in style. It's made from soft, comfortable fabric and finished with careful attention to detail

Vintage Paisley Flexilite Umbrella, at Marks & Spensers
Brighten up rainy days with this colourful lightweight umbrella

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Bodysuit & Bib Set, at Marks and Spencer
Cute and practical, this bodysuit and bib set is great value. Envelope neckline makes quick changes easy and the soft cotton fabric will keep the baby feeling comfy and happy

Pink Floral Dress Mum Birthday Card, at Marks&Spencer
Cover text: To a very special Mum on her birthday Inside message: With all my love This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future. Approx. size: 230 mm x 114 mm

Autograph Chrome Desk Lamp, at Marks and Spencer
Classic design Adjustable arm Chrome plated finish Round base, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Toshiba Satellite U400-22N Laptop, at Marks & Spensers
Processor: Intel Pentium dual-core processor T4200, 2.00 GHz clock speed, 800 MHz Front Side Bus and 1 MB 2nd level cache Memory: 4,096 (2,048 + 2,048) MB DDR2 RAM (800 MHz) Hard Drive: 250 GB (S.M.A.R.T) Display: 13.3 " Toshiba TruBrite WXGA TFT High Brightness display Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit Edition (pre-installed, Toshiba-HDD recovery) Graphics Card: Mobile Intel GMA 4500MHD, up to 1,340 MB total available graphics memory with 4 GB system memory DVD Super Multi Drive (Double Layer) : CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-R(DL), DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R(DL), DVD+RW, DVD-RAM Expansion: 2 x memory slots (1 to configure), 1 x ExpressCard slot Interfaces: 1 x DC-in, 1 x external monitor, 1 x RJ-11, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x i.LINK (IEEE 1394), 1 x external microphone, 1 x headphone (stereo), 1 x SP/DIF (optical) shared with headphone socket, 1 x integrated 1.3 Megapixels Web Camera with built-in microphone, 1 x HDMI-CEC (REGZA-Link) supporting 1080p signal format, 1 (shared with one USB port) x eSATA, 1 x 5-in-1 Bridge Media slot (supports SD™ Cards up to 16 GB, Memory Stick up to 256 MB, Memory Stick Pro™ up to 4 GB, MultiMedia Card™ up to 2 GB and xD-Picture Card™ up to 2 GB) USB Ports: 3 (Left 2, Right 1) x USB 2.0 (supporting USB Sleep-and-Charge) Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) Wireless LAN, Fast Ethernet LAN (10BASE-T/100BASE-TX) , international V.90 modem (V.92 ready), 56 Kbps data and 14.4 Kbps fax Bundled software: Toshiba Disc Creator, Toshiba User's Manual, Supervisor Password Utility, Toshiba Assist, Chicony Camera Assistant Software, Toshiba DVD Player, Ulead DVD MovieFactory for TOSHIBA, Toshiba Face Recognition, Microsoft Works, McAfee Internet Security Suite - Toshiba Edition (includes free Internet updates for 30 days), Toshiba Recovery Disc Creator, Dolby Control Center, HDMI Control Manager, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (free 60-day trial), Toshiba Value Added Package (Toshiba Power Saver, Toshiba Zooming Utility, Toshiba PC Diagnostic Tool, Toshiba Flash Cards, Toshiba Components Common Driver, Toshiba Accessibility, Toshiba Button Support), Google Software (Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer, Google Desktop, Picasa), Connectivity Doctor, ConfigFree™, Toshiba utilities and drivers Toshiba EasyMedia : Google Software (Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer, Google Desktop, Picasa), Toshiba TEMPRO Performance Tuning Service, USB & USB/eSATA Sleep-and-Charge, HDMI-CEC (REGZA-Link), McAfee Internet Security Suite - Toshiba Edition, Toshiba Face Recognition, Smart Display Support, Toshiba Flash Cards, Easy Keys, Built-in camera & microphone, Diversity Antenna, Integrated Bridge Media Adapter, Toshiba ConfigFree™, Internal HD 720p support, S/PDIF Security features : HDD password on request, supervisor password, slot for Kensington Cable Lock, user password, wireless LAN switch, main battery pack (by sliding latch), main memory (by screw), main hard disk (by screw) Dimensions : W314 x D229 x H27.5 (front) / 35 (rear) mm Weight : starting at 2.0 kg 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

Footglove™ Wide Fit Wishbone Leather Sandal, at M+S
Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight Round toe Buckle fastening Widefit Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

2 Autograph Tartan Bow Clips, at Marks & Spencer
Dress up those tresses in fabulous style with these pretty bow clips

Per Una Animal Bead Rope Necklace, at M+S
Rope necklace Mixed animal print bead design Necklace length: 49cm

Painterly Pink Flowers Anniversary Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: With Love Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 175 mm x 125 mm This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future

Limited Collection Contrast Trim Tote Bag, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionable and fabulous, this contrast trim 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!

6 Button Pleated Skirt, at MarksandSpencer
An ideal choice for school, this easycare skirt gets top marks for its stretch fabric, drop waist, button detailing and smart pleats

Older Girls' Canvas Trainers, at Marks and Spencer
Round toe Lace up Metallic finish Canvas design Flat sole

Pure Cotton Scoop Neck Longline Tunic, at Marks and Spencers
This fab scoop neck tunic is a style essential this season. A great match for slim cut trousers or jeans

Little Acorns Christening Invites - Pack of Ten, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Christening Inside message: Would like to invite.....to the christening of.....on.....at.....time.....RSVP..... 10 cards, 1 design Approx size: 120 x 120 mm

Autograph Ball Drop Earrings, at Marks and Spenser
Hook fastening Drop style Double bead detail For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Ultimate Non Iron Pure Cotton Neutral Stripe Shirt, at Mark's & 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

Perfect Blue Harbour Fleece Jacket, at Marks and Spencer
If you're enjoying the great outdoors this autumn, you'll want this jacket. It's both water repellent and wind resistant, has a warm fleece lining and a concealed hood

Star Sunglasses, at Mark's & Spencer
A hot look for summer, these fabulous star sunglasses add instant style and glamour

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Button Down Oxford Shirt, at M & S
Relaxed and stylish, this long sleeve shirt is made from pure cotton, so it feels soft and comfortable to wear

Signature Lemon Grass Pot Pourri Box, at Marks and Spencers
Lemon grass fragrance Presented in a box, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Copper Base 16cm Saucepan, at Marks and Spenser
Stainless steel for maximum durability and shine Glass straining lid Riveted handles with silicone inserts for comfort and safety Twin pouring lips for left and right-handed cooks High performance copper base for even heat distribution Diam 16cm Capacity: 1.4 litre Suitable for all cooker types except induction, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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