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 & Spenser 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, Home Insurance policies. Usually, UK Home 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 Home 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 Home Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Financial Services. Not least of these is Marks and Spencers Standard Motor Insurance. With M&S Financial Services you can keep the cost of your Motor 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 Motor Insurance cover from M&S Financial Services, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Motor Insurance policies on offer from M+S, 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 Motor Insurance from M&S Financial Services, you get more, and you pay less.

When you're shopping at Mark & Spensers 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 Home Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks & Spencer 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."

Limited Collection Dogtooth Design Cardigan, at Marks & Spencers
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel

White Pearl Damask Wedding Keepsake Box, at Marks and Spencers
1 keepsake box Approx size: H290 x W290 x D95 mm

Platinum Plated Diamanté Detail Wishbone Ring, at Marks & Spensers
Add instant sparkling style with this gorgeous platinum plated ring, set with dazzling diamant.

Generic Star Charm 50th Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: 50 today Inside message: Have a fantastic birthday! This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 178 x 125 mm

Geometric Ditsy Cushion With Recycled Filling, at Marks n Spencer
Square shape Geometric design Size: 50cm x 50cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Cotton Rich Flat Front Corduroy Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
A relaxed formal look, these comfortable stretch cotton corduroy trousers make a stylish and practical choice for everyday wear

Mother's Day Cupcake Jotter Box, at Marks & Spencer
1 jotter box 1 block of paper 1 pencil H100 x Diam 125mm

Pure Silk Plain Tie with Stain Defence™, at Marks & Spensers
This silk tie has been treated with our stain defence™ technology giving inbuilt resistance to everyday spills, this repellence benefit is maintained after dry cleaning

Sprung-Edge Non-storage Divan & F200 Mattress, at Marks & Spencer
Single Mattress (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double Mattress (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size Mattress (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super King Size Mattress (6ft): W180 x L200cm Single Divan (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double Divan (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size Divan (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super King Size Divan (6ft): W180 x L200cm Mattress depth: 24cm Divan Height: 41cm Individually pocketed springs Deep layer of memory foam Mattress Spring Count: 930 Sprung-Edge divan - can be used with any mattress All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected Mattress does not require turning All mattresses and Divans are manufactured in the UK A sample mattress is subjected to 3 rigorous tests to ensure it remains comfortable. Surface fabric is rubbed 15,000 times against a hard surface to test resistance to wear. Mattress is pounded by a machine 80,000 times to replicate the movements of a human torso and subjected to 20,000 rolls of a roller machine to simulate the rolling motion of a sleeping person 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Short Sleeve Knitted Top with Floral Scarf, at Mark & Spencers
A smart short sleeve top featuring a floral print scarf. The lace trim neckline makes it extra stylish

Collezione Snaffle Loafers, at Marks & Spensers
Square toe Slip-on Snaffle feature Block heel

Rectangle Frame Amber Reading Glasses, at Marks and Spencer
Rectangle lens Amber frame For near vision and reading use only Not suitable for persons under 16 years of age Marks and Spencer reading glasses conform to British Standard BS: EN 14 139:2002

2 Limited Knitted Hats, at Marks and Spenser
Warm and comfy, these stripe design hats are ideal for chilly days

Straw Snap Trilby, at M & S
Make a stylish impression with this trilby. It adds a smart touch to formalwear and looks contemporary with casuals

HP Compaq Presario CQ61-120SA Notebook, at Marks & Spenser
Processor: Intel Pentium processor T4200 Processor speed: 2 GHz, Level 2 cache 1 MB RAM: 3072 MB (1 x 1024 MB + 1 x 2048 MB), Supports up to 8 GB DDR2 memory Screen: 15.6" Diagonal High Definition HP LED Brightview Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service (32-bit) Hard Drive: 250 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 5400 rpm up to 9 GB partition for system recovery DVD Drive: Lightscribe Super Multi DVD Writer (+/-R +/-RW) with Double Layer support Graphics card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD Up to 1309 MB Total Available Graphics Memory Memory slot: 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards Camera: Webcam with integrated microphone Interfaces: 1 headphone-out, 1 mic in, 3 USB, 1 HDMI connector, 1 VGA port, 1 RJ45 ethernet connector Connectivity: Ethernet 10/100BT integrated network interface 802.11b/g WLAN Battery: 6-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery Media software: Windows Media Player, Windows Photo Gallery, DVD Play, Windows Movie Maker, Windows DVD Maker, Cyberlink DVD Suite, Windows Media Center Additional software: Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 60-Day Trial Version, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Windows Mail, Adobe Reader, Dimensions: L37.8 x W25.2 x H4.36cm Weight: 2.75kg

Fairtrade Pure Cotton Scoop Neck Top, at Marks and Spencer
This stylish short sleeve top 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

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Palm Leaf Print Top, at Marks & Spencer
This short sleeve top will make a useful addition to your wardrobe. It features a pretty palm leaf print for a stylish casual look

Bright Teardrops Large Gift Bag, at Marks & Spenser
1 gift bag Approx size: H270 x W360 x D100 mm

Suede Sprung-Edge Divan with 2 Small & 2 Large Drawers, at M&S
Double (4ft 6): W135 x L190cm King size (5ft): L150 x W200cm Super king size (6ft): L180 x W200cm Divan height: H41cm Sprung-edge divan - Can be used with any mattress Solid wooden frame Small drawers: H14 x W40 x D52cm Large drawers: H14 x W78 x D52cm Small drawers at the head end are designed to open without moving your bedside table 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve 'Little Builder Buddies' T-Shirt, at Mark's & Spencer
Fun and comfy, this practical pure cotton long sleeve 'little builder buddies' t-shirt features a motif desgn. The shoulder poppers make it easier to dress him

Top Hat and Tiara Wedding Card, at Marks & Spenser
Cover message: Bride and Groom Inside message: Blank for your own message This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx. size: 230 x 114mm

Photo Frame with Mount 13 x 18cm (5 x 7"), at Marks & Spencers
Rectangular shape Removeable mount card H29 x W24cm Aperture: 5 x 7in, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

5 Pure Cotton Slips, at Mark & Spensers
The soft, easy to care for qualities of pure cotton means these comfy slips are a fantastic option for day to day wear

Machine Washable Circle Pattern Tie, at Marks & Spencers
No more trips to the drycleaners! This smart circle pattern tie is machine washable

Cotton Rich Single Breasted 3 Button Corduroy Jacket, at MarksandSpencer
A smartly tailored 3 button corduroy jacket in stretch cotton fabric

Collezione Chronograph Circular Face Watch, at Marks & Spencers
Round face Chronograph detail Analogue Wind-up mechanism

Non-Iron Short Sleeve Plain Shirt, at Marks&Spencer
Style, convenience and quality, you can have it all with this smart non-iron shirt, providing you with a hassle-free start to your work day

Pure Cotton Ultimate Non Iron Long Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Marks and 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

Silk Blend Luxury Multi Stripe Tie, at Marks and Spencer
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this smart stripe tie in a silk blend

Blue Nostalgic Photo Anniversary Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: With you both a happy anniversary Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx. size: 175 mm x 125 mm

Besides MarksandSpencer Motor Insurance, M&S Financial Services Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Financial Services Home 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 Financial Services 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 Marks and Spencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Financial Services Premier Home Insurance and Standard Home 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.