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

• M&S Insurance: M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Buildings & Contents 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 Financial Services in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the M&S Financial Services website.

When you're shopping at M&S 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 Financial Services. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings & Contents Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at MarksandSpencer than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from M&S Financial Services. 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 Financial Services, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Financial Services 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."

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 Financial Services 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 & Contents Insurance policies. Usually, UK Buildings & Contents 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 Financial Services Buildings & Contents 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 Financial Services Buildings & Contents Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Panasonic HDC-TM300 Camcorder, at Marks & Spencers
Pixels: 9.15 megapixels Zoom: 12x optical zoom / 700x digital zoom Screen: 2.7 Wide LCD ( 230,400 pixels) Dimensions: H7.2 x W7 x D14.1cm Weight: 385g (without batteries and card) Media: Built-in memory (32GB), SD/SDHC Memory Card Recording format: MPEG4-AVC/H.264 (AVCHD standard compliant) Audio recording system: Dolby Digital (5.1ch) Microphone: 5.1ch surround, zoom and focus microphone Power supply: DC7.2V / 9.3V

Double Bridge Sunglasses, at Marks and Spencers
Providing essential protection for the eyes, these stylish and wearable shades will flatter most face shapes

Autograph Pure Silk Wide Stripe Tie, at Marks & Spencers
Fashionable and contemporary, this pure silk tie is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Designer style and luxury at high street prices

Fox Hollow Single Vineyard Semillon 2005 - Case of 6, at MarksandSpencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Semillon Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 11.5% vol Alcohol units per bottle 8.6 Alcohol units per 125ml 1.4 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Snake Print Bikini Top, at Marks and Spencers
Gorgeous and glamorous, this fashionable bikini features a striking snake print. A sleek, shapely look

Pure Silk Woven Square Grid Dot Tie, at Mark's & Spencer
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this contemporary square grid dot tie in pure silk

Indian Floral Jacquard Pillowcase, at Marks and Spencers
Floral jacquard design Fits standard pillows, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Supima® Satin Trim Vest, at Mark & Spencers
Supima cotton known as the world's finest cotton. It's renowned for its superior strength, enhanced durability and sumptuous feel

Gold Plated Regal Cushion Ring, at Mark's & Spencer
Small gemstone outer layer Larger gemstone centre

Thomas & Friends© Funnel Zip Neck Fleece, at Marks and Spenser
Fans of Thomas & friends will love this funnel neck fleece featuring the popular character. A practical, easycare style

Mini Travel Bottle Set, at Marks and Spencer
Leave your large or breakable toiletries at home. Simply fill these travel bottles and jars with your favourite toiletries and refill them whenever you need. Contained within a funky bag, this set is ideal for any overnight trip

3 Pairs of Collezione Pure Cotton Diamond Socks, at Mark & Spencers
Pure cotton makes these socks soft, breathable and absorbent to keep feet warm, dry and comfy

Nintendo Wii™ Console, at Marks and Spenser
Includes wireless Wii Remote and Wii Nunchuk Includes Wii™ Sports (bowling, boxing, baseball, tennis and golf) game suitable for ages 7+ Wii™ Tennis: Swing the controller like a racket - the game will register forehands, backhands, volleys, lobs, slices, spin and power depending on how fast you swing and at what angle Wii™ Boxing: Using the Nunchuk controller as one glove and the Wii Remote as the other, players dodge, weave and punch their opponents Wii™ Golf: Hold the controller like a golf club and swing naturally to smack the ball onto the green Wii™ Bowling: Players raise the Wii Remote in their hand just like a bowling ball, and then swing their arms to roll the ball Wii™ Baseball: Grip the controller like a bat and hit fastballs out of the park Create a Mii Create and play as your very own Mii as you work your way into the professional ranks and improve your skills Access online Wii™ Channel for news, weather, photo viewing, message boards and more Built-in Wi-Fi access for easy connection to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection gaming service Completely backward compatible, all the way to the NES of the 1980s Fully compatible with GameCube games Supports up to 4 GameCube controllers 2 slots for Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards Plays two disc formats in a single, self-loading media bay Comes with A/V cable and UK power adapter Features a processing chip from IBM and a graphics chip from ATI This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Soft Vanilla Scented Candle, at Marks & Spencer
Vanilla scented Glass holder Burns up to 45 hours, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Laser Cut Hearts Large Wedding Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Wedding Day Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 220 x 220 mm

Autograph Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Highlight Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Stylish and contemporary, this highlight stripe shirt is part of our luxurious Autograph collection. The fabric has been created exclusively for us to tie in with this season's key looks, so you won't find it anywhere else

Per Una Cotton Rich Belted Jeans, at Marks & Spencers
A fashionable pair of bootleg jeans in stretch cotton featuring a curved buckle belt

Artificial Poppy in Square Glass Vase, at Marks and Spencer
Artificial poppy Square glass vase Height: 41cms, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

New 120GB Apple iPod classic, at Marks and Spencer
Up to 30,000 songs, 150 hours of video, 25,000 photos, or any combination Rent a movie from iTunes and watch it on the go Sleek, anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel enclosure Genius feature finds the songs in your library that go great together and makes a Genius playlist for you Cover Flow - turn it on its side to flip through album art 2.5-inch (diagonal) color LCD display with LED backlight. 320-by-240-pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery capable of up to 36 hours of audio playback and up to 6 hours of video playback Dimensions: H10.4 x W6.2 x D1cm approx Weight: 140g In the box: iPod classic, Earphones, USB 2.0 cable, Dock adapter, Quick Start guide For Mac and Windows. Requires Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional or Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later TM and 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Wool Rich Flat Front Stripe Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and contemporary, these trousers are made from a special wool blend fabric for extra strength, comfort and durability

Per Una Pure Cotton Check Design Pyjamas, at Marks & Spencer
Modern and feminine, these pretty pyjamas are made from soft cotton so you can relax in comfort and style. Part of Per Una's sleepwear collection

Autograph Occasions Pleat Clutch Bag, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionable and practical, this clutch bag is a useful accessory with bags of style!

Collezione Classic Trim Leather Moccasin Shoes, at Mark's & Spencer
Slip on Round toe Small square block heel Stitch detail

Pure Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Spot Print Top, at Marks & Spenser
Pretty pintuck and spot print makes this soft cotton top extra special

Melamine Collection Leaf Placemat, at Marks & Spencer
Fabric placemat Leaf design Rectangle shape L45 x W35cm

Autograph Occasions Pleat Clutch Bag, at Mark's & Spencer
Fashionable and practical, this clutch bag is a useful accessory with bags of style!

Autograph Stainless Steel Bar Tray, at Marks & Spensers
Diameter: 39cm Circular shape, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Light Control Spot Print Mesh High Leg Briefs, at Mark's & Spencer
Look slimmer in seconds! These light control knickers gently flatten tummies for a sleeker, slimmer silhouette

Blue Harlequin Spots Large Gift Bag, at Marks and Spenser
Pack Contains: 1 gift bag Approx Size: H: 420 mm, W: 300 mm, D: 100 mm

Conical Shade Wall Light, at Mark & Spensers
Conical shade Square wall fitting 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

M&S Financial Services 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 Financial Services 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 M&S 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 Financial Services UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.