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 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, 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.

M&S Finance 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 Car 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; Car Insurance and House 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 House 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 Finance Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

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 MarksandSpencer, 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.

Pure Cotton In The Night Garden Romper & Bib, at Mark & Spensers
A great choice for active babies, this soft pure cotton romper suit is comfortable and practical. Stripe design and motif print adds a cute finishing touch

Younger Girls' Dora The Explorer Lunch Box, at Mark & Spensers
Cute and fun, girls will love this Dora the explorer lunch box. An ideal gift

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Mr Men Rugby Top, at Mark's & Spencer
Fans of Mr Men will love this stripe cotton rugby top featuring Mr Happy. A practical, easycare style

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

Older Boys' Pure Cotton Ben 10 Shorties, at M&S
A must for fans of Ben 10, these shorties feature the popular character

Fragranced Pot Pourri Bag, at Marks and Spencer
Add a fresh aroma to any room in the home with the fruit fragrance of this wonderful pot pourri

Pure Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Stripe Top, at M&S
For casual elegance, you can't beat this stripe crew neck top. A great value cotton essential

Bright Squares Well Done Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: Well done! Inside message: blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm

2 Easycare Assorted Shirts & Tie Set, at Marks and Spencer
Smart style for less! This pack of 2 shirts and tie is outstanding value

Autograph Leather Round Toe Zebra Print Pumps, at Mark's & Spencer
Round toe Zebra print Slip-on Low heel Heel height: 15mm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Brushed Metal Bling Wall Clock, at Marks and Spencer
Round face Standard numerals Brushed metal, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Hamilton Armchair, at MarksandSpencer
50% reduction on Dakota Leather Espresso applied 21 May - 1 June 2009. 30% reduction on all fabrics applied 9 April - 20 May 2009. Higher prices applied between at least 25 February - 8 April 2009. H95 x W103 x D99cm Seat H49cm, arm H66cm, top back rail 73cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - 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 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 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 Stripe Trousers, at Mark & Spencers
Smart and contemporary, these trousers are made from a special wool blend fabric for extra strength, comfort and durability

Mixed Bead Rope Necklace, at Marks and Spencer
Long length Mixed beads Clasp fastening Necklace length: 98cm

Zandra Rhodes Twist Front Kaftan, at Marks and Spencers
Go for poolside glamour in this chic kaftan by Zandra Rhodes. It's hand embellished for a luxurious, eye-catching look and has a flattering deep V neckline and gathered twist detailing

Diamanté Towelling Mule Slippers, at Marks and Spencers
Mule style Diamant detail Slip-on

Pure Cotton Hooded Cardigan, at Marks & Spencers
Knitted in pure cotton, this cute hooded cardigan will keep her warm and comfy. It looks cuddly too!

2 Pairs of Tatty Teddy Socks, at Marks & Spencer
A must for fans of Tatty Teddy this 2 pair pack of socks features assorted designs

Blossom Wallpaper, at Marks & Spencer
Floral print wallpaper Offset pattern repeat 64cm - The pattern runs diagonally across the wall, so only alternating rolls will be the same at the ceiling. Every second roll will have to be dropped by half the repeat length for the pattern to match accurately. (Also known as half-drop match) Roll dimensions: W52cm x L10m Suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and hallways Not suitable for bathrooms or kitchens Made in the UK and sourced from sustainable, renewable forests How many rolls do you need?Click here for our wallpaper calculator Complete your room with made to order curtains. Click here to view our range For a detailed view of the colour and pattern, please click on the image and use the zoom function. Please note that your monitor settings may affect how colours are displayed, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Formula Instant Fix Tinted Moisturiser, at Marks & Spensers
Hypoallergenic Suitable for all skin types 50ml

Autograph Pure Cashmere Bold Stripe Hooded Cardigan, at Marks and Spencers
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

Mirror Squares Photo Frame 20 x 25cm (8 x 10"), at Marks & Spencer
Rectangular frame Mirror square design Aperture: 20 x 25cm (8 x 10"), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

WALL-E DVD, at Mark & Spencers
Rating Universal, suitable for all,

Pure Cotton 5 Pocket Jeans, at Mark & Spencers
A great pair of jeans always looks stylish. These straight leg jeans in pure cotton feature multiple pockets. Fashionable, practical and easycare

Hanging Bag & Cosmetic Purse Set, at Marks and Spenser
2 piece set Hanging bag with multi compartments Cosmetic purse with zip fastening Plain

Limited Collection Cotton Rich Floral Print Bra, at Marks and Spenser
Fun and fabulous, this cotton rich t-shirt bra is part of our Limited Collection lingerie. It's perfectly smooth so you wont get any visible lumps and bumps under your clothes. For a funky look, mix and match with coordinating lingerie from Limited. Casual, contemporary fashion

M&S 8 in 1 Accessories Pack for Nintendo™ Wii™, at Marks & Spencers
8 accessories compatible with Nintendo™ Wii™ Includes accessories for Wii™ tennis, Wii™ baseball, Wii™ golf and Wii™ Mario cart Also includes 2 padlock straps, protector cover and controller grip for Wii™ control panel Please note- this product is not made or endorsed by Nintendo™ 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

Ashbourne Storage Footstool, at Mark & Spensers
H46 x W68 x D58cm all dimensions are approximate) Top cushion filled with shape-retaining foam - 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 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 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

Blue Harbour Suede Trim Cardigan, at Marks & Spenser
An extremely comfortable cardigan. It's made with extrafine lambswool which is spun for the softest feel. Conveniently, it can be machine washed and tumble dried and it resists bobbling

Pure Cotton Spa Tonal Stripe Towel, at M&S
Tonal stripe design Hand towel: L90 x W50cm Bath sheet: L137 x W70cm Bath towel: L178 x W86cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Marks and Spencer may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your House Insurance or Car Insurance, but Marks and Spencer do indeed offer a comprehensive selection of financial products, all of which are competitively priced, and all of which you can purchase directly from the M&S Finance website. With a simple, no-hassle service, you can compare features between a number of M&S Money Direct products and competitor's products, and sign up in just a few minutes.

Whether you're looking for savings products or M&S Finance loans, credit cards or House Insurance - besides a number of other insurance products, M&S Finance can save you both time and money, with comprehensive information available at a click.

Free insurance quotes are available online for all of M&S Finance insurance products (House Insurance, Car Insurance, Travel Insurance, Wedding Insurance and Pet Insurance), or you may call if you wish to on the telephone number provided. Suffice to say that there is also plenty of information which you can download for each of the Marks and Spencer insurance products in document format too.