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

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 Mark & Spensers are so useful. M&S Money Direct financial products are, of course, designed to make MarksandSpencer 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.

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 Spenser 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 & Spensers, 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 Car 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.

Big & Tall Collezione Luxury Wool Rich Flat Front Trousers, at Marks & Spencer
Smart and stylish, these flat front trousers are made from fine quality wool with cashmere for exceptional softness. A practical, hardwearing and fashionable choice. Perfectly proportioned for big and tall men

3 Easycare Short Sleeve Blouses, at MarksandSpencer
This 3 pack of easycare short sleeve blouses is outstanding value. Reinforced seams give extra strength and durability

Limited Collection Single Breasted Waterfall Crop Jacket, at Marks & Spencer
Smart and stylish, this waterfall jacket is tailored to fit and flatter. A great choice for work

Toy Story Music Card, at Mark's & Spencer
Cover text: Happy Birthday...Buzz and Woody Action Heroes Inside message: Have a fantastic day! Approx size: 215 x 150 mm Disney / Pixar

2'' Longer Quick Iron Pure Cotton Bold Stripe Shirt, at MarksandSpencer
Ideal for taller men, this stylish shirt is 5cm (2") longer in the sleeve and body for a better fit

Pink Champagne, at Marks and Spenser
Oudinot Ros Champagne 75cl bottle 12% alc vol Glass not included Price includes delivery Licensing Act 2003: it is an offence for any person under 18 years to buy or attempt to buy alcoholic liquor Looking to place a corporate bulk order? Please call 0845 6020602 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Organic Okhre Natur Brut Cava - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Xarel.lo, Macabeo, Parellada Country of origin: Spain Closure: Natural cork Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 11% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 8.3 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

Polka Dot Bikini Top, at Marks & Spencer
Modern and stylish, this bikini is outstanding value. Style and quality at a great price

Adored Comfort Embroidered Orchid Full Briefs, at Marks & Spencers
Classic and elegant, these embroidered briefs are made from the softest fabric and trims, so they feel blissfully comfortable to wear. The low leg style gives a modern shapely fit. Feminine everyday lingerie

Younger Girls' Little Miss Sunshine Sandals, at Marks and Spencer
Round toe Lilttle Miss Sunshine motif Flat sole Mr Men and Little Miss™ & 2007 THOIP (a Chorion company). All rights reserved

Autograph Leather Hip Wallet & Credit Card Holder, at Marks n Spencer
Smart, stylish and practical, this leather wallet makes it easy to organise cards, notes and coins

Disney Pretty As A Princess Activity Book, at Mark & Spencers
Dressing up is so much fun and little princesses will love all the fabulous hair and beauty tips that Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White and the rest of the Disney Princesses have to offer inside! Together with fun activities and pictures to colour, this book is sure to delight and inspire!

Perfect Autograph Cotton Rich Stormwear™ Military Mac, at Marks and Spencers
This mac has it all. Water repellent, with a Stormwear finish and fully lined for warmth, it's stylishly cut, too, with a sim fit and military detail

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

Autograph Pure Abaca Snake Trim Hat, at M & S
Luxurious, fashionable and elegant, this pure abaca hat features a modern contrast design to give it a sophisticated look To receive your FREE hat box, simply click on the hat box below and add it to your basket

Short Sleeve Stripe Body Top, at Mark & Spensers
Smart and stylish, this short sleeve body top is made from softly draping stretch viscose for a fluid look. The stripe design adds a fashionable finishing touch

Silver Plated Double Link Pendant Necklace, at Marks & Spensers
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Double link pendant Necklace length 41cm, extendable by 8cm

Autograph Pure Cotton Slim Fit Poplin Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
This luxurious shirt is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Its fine quality and careful attention to detail make it a superior and stylish modern classic

Earring Backs, at Marks n Spencer
3 sets of earring backs Gold-effect, silver-effect and glass-effect

Paradiso Shiraz 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry, fruity Grape variety: Shiraz (Syrah), Cabernet Sauvignon Country of origin: Chile Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.1 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.7 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Silver Plated Mix Pansy Y Necklace, at Mark & Spencers
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Y design Floral detail Drop feature Necklace length: 41cm, extendable by 8cm

Collezione Apron Lace Up Shoes, at M+S
Square toe Lace up Apron stitch detail Eyelets Block heel

SupimaŽ Pure Cotton Non-Iron Duvet Cover, at M&S
Internationally recognised as the world's finest cotton High performance non iron finish offering the ultimate in easy care Supima is renowned for its superior strength, enhanced durability and sumptuous feel 180 thread count Single: W137 x L198cm Double: W198 x L198cm 5ft (Queen): W228 x L218cm 6ft (King): W260 x L220cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Faux Silk Ceiling Light Shade, at Marks & Spensers
Faux silk fabric Plain H22 x Diam 30cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

My First Nursery Rhyme Book, at Marks & Spencer
Suitable for ages 0-3 years Classic nursery rhymes to share This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Chunky Bead Collar Necklace, at M+S
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Assorted chunky beads Necklace length 41cm, extendable by 8cm

Trainer Laces Birthday Card, at Marks&Spencer
Cover Text: Happy birthday Happy birthday Inside Message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 230 x 114mm

3/4 Sleeve Single Button Cardigan with Wool, at Marks and Spencer
Soft and cosy, this cardigan features 3/4 length sleeves. Stylish, practical and fashionable

Pure Cotton Floral Print Mock Layer Top, at M&S
Mock layer design makes this soft cotton top fabulously fashionable

Ivory Wedding Table Numbers, at Marks & Spenser
12 table numbers Approx size: 150 x 110mm

When you're shopping at Marks and Spencers 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 Money Direct. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Mark's & Spencer than you might imagine.

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