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 & Spencers are so useful. M&S Money Direct financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & Spencer 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, Buildings Insurance policies. Usually, UK Buildings 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 Money Direct Buildings 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 Money Direct Buildings Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

M&S Money Direct Insurance: There are, quite literally, hundreds of companies in the UK from whom you can purchase insurance. Whether you're looking for the best deal on Motor Insurance, buildings and contents insurance, or even wedding insurance, it doesn't take long to find a company that will sell you a policy.

However, not all insurance companies, and certainly not all insurance policies, are the same. What may be standard on one insurance policy may be an optional extra on another, for instance; Motor Insurance and Buildings Insurance are especially like this.

For example, most home and contents insurance policies either ask you to provide the total cost of rebuilding your home plus the total value of your home contents, or they will set an upper limit. This may seem fine at the time, but, in the event of a claim on your Buildings Insurance policy, the values act as maximum limits, and so you may, in effect, be under-insured and not receive the full value of your insurance claim.

Fortunately, M&S Money Direct Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

M&S Money Direct 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 Money Direct 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 Marks and Spencers 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, 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 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 Money Direct UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Jewelled Line Wedding Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Wedding Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: Unfolded: 150 x 150mm

Pure Cotton Faux Fur Trim Hooded Parka, at Marks & Spencers
Relaxed and stylish, the parka has become a fashion essential. This easycare version is finished with a faux fur trim hood

Older Boys' Wrap Around Flame Sunglasses, at Marks & Spenser
Fashionable and fab, these wrap around sunglasses with a flame pattern give 100% UV protection for safer style in the sun

Mesh Trim Full Cup Non-Wired Sports Bra, at Mark's & Spencer
Offering the superior support and control you need for those high impact workouts. This sports bra sets the pace for essential comfort thanks to an easycare fabric and the shape retaining qualities of added stretch

Life Of Love Necklace, at Marks & Spenser
Clasp fastening Heart pendant Necklace length 41cm, extendable by 8cm

Sentimental Words Aunt Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: The stuff we do together is always lots of fun... And when it comes to special aunts, you're surely number one! Inside message: Have a very happy birthday Approx size: 178 x 126 mm

Cotton Rich Skinny Jeans, at Marks & Spenser
Casual and comfortable, these easycare jeans make a fashionable and practical choice

Mareante Hill Organic Chardonnay 2007 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Fruity and dry Grape variety: Chardonnay Country of origin: Chile Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.9 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Per Una Senorita Long Sleeve Cardigan, at Marks and Spencers
A gorgeous feminine long sleeve cardigan in a soft knitted fabric. Rounded edging and single feature button fastening give it the Per Una touch

Carbon Print Sport Sunglasses, at Marks and Spencer
With full UV protection and a flattering modern design, these smart sunglasses will see you through the summer in style

Die Cut Tiny Fairies and Stars Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: To Someone very special Inside message: With lots of love x Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Classic Collection Cashmilon™ Cowl Neck Jumper, at Marks & Spencer
Stylish and so comfortable, this jumper in softest cashmilon™ feels as good as it looks and the smart cowl neck adds the perfect finishing touch

Official ECB Pure Cotton Jersey Shorts, at Marks & Spensers
Young cricket fans can show their support in these official shorts, featuring contrast trims and the England Cricket logo. A comfortable, easycare style in stretchy cotton jersey

Heart Cluster Pendant Necklace, at Marks and Spencer
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Heart cluster pendant Necklace lengths: 85cm, extendable by 8cm

Single Sprung-Edge 2 Drawer Divan & Autograph M500 Mattress - Medium, at Marks and Spencer
No turn mattress Mattress and divan are anti-allergy Mattress: spring count 1225, depth 27.5cm Divan height: 41.5cm Single 3ft: W90 x L190cm 2 large right- or left-hand drawers Divan drawer size: H15 x W78.4 x D53cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Essentials Vintage Rose Embroidered DD-G Bra, at Mark & Spensers
Elegant and feminine this rose embroidered bra looks and feels luxurious. It's underwired and structured to give fuller busts great support and a flattering enhanced shape. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

Older Boys' Pure Cotton Outback Hat, at Marks and Spencer
Sun protection gets stylish with this outback style hat

Autograph Flat Front Straight Leg Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable and contemporary, these flat front trousers are part of our exclusive Autograph collection. A great design, superior fabric and careful attention to detail make them exceptionally stylish and comfortable

Philips HP6509 Satinelle Soft Sensitive Epilator, at Mark & Spensers
Double waved massage roller minimises the pulling sensation and soothes the skin after epilation Specifically adapted cap for more sensitive skin, allowing for gentle epilation in delicate areas Ergonomic grip for comfortable handling Extra speed setting for more sensitive zones Washable epilation head Voltage: 100-240V Power consumption: 7.5W Number of discs: 21 Number of catching points: 20 Comes with adapter plug and cleaning brush

White Ceramic Collection Toilet Brush, at M&S
Cylindrical holder Ceramic vase Plain H39 x Diam 10cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

3 Pairs of Collezione Cashmere Touch Socks, at Marks & Spencer
Inspired by Italy, these superior cotton rich socks are made with a touch of cashmere for the ultimate in softness and luxury. Exclusively designed for M&S

Delonghi NF170 Mobile Air Conditioner, at Marks and Spenser
Cooling capacity: 8,000 Btu/h Recommended for rooms up to 80m3 Removes up to 21 l/d of excess moisture while conditioning Dehumidification function removes up to 24 l/d of excess moisture 3 fan speeds Digital timer and thermostat Electronic controls with microprocessor Dimensions: H81 x W46 x D32cm

Blue Harbour Cotton Rich Stretch Denim Jeans, at Marks and Spencers
Relaxed and casual, these straight leg jeans are made with stretch for comfort and ease of movement

Stainless Steel Melon Baller, at Marks and Spenser
Hanging loop Stainless steel, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Pure Cashmere Bold Stripe Hooded Cardigan, at Marks & Spencer
Soft and snuggly, this practical cashmere cardigan will keep her feeling warm and comfortable. With luxury in every detail, this is part of our exclusive Autograph collection

Sterling Silver Twist Earrings, at Marks & Spencer
Twist design Butterfly stud fastening This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Per Una Pure Cotton Stripe A-Line Skirt, at Mark & Spensers
A colourful knee length skirt in pure soft cotton with a stripe design making it extra stylish

Baroque Jacquard Quilt, at Mark & Spensers
L250 x W265cm Jacquard print Quilted design Padded quilting Cotton rich, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Panel Clutch Bag, at MarksandSpencer
Fashionable and fabulous, this panel clutch handbag is designed in one of this season's key shapes. It's a practical as well as trend-conscious accessory. Get the latest look!

Cashmilon™ Long Sleeve Turtle Neck Jumper, at Marks and Spenser
Fashionable and flattering, this turtle neck jumper is made from supersoft cashmilon™ and features a turtle neck.

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 and 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 Mark's & Spencer, through its M&S Money Direct website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Buildings Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.