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 Financial Services. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Home Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at M+S 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."

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 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 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.

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

Two Tone Spot Print Belted Skirt, at M&S
Pretty and feminine, this cotton blend skirt is designed for a shapely silhouette. A smart modern look

Pure Cotton Jaquard Leaf Runner, at Marks & Spensers
Floral design Jaquard detail Dimensions: 34cm x 230 cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

18 Shoes Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: 18 Inside message: have a wonderful birthday Approx size: 126 x 174mm

Red Wine, Chocolate & Rose Basket, at Marks and Spenser
The perfect basket of treats for a loved one! Includes a giftwrapped cream rose plant, a bottle of French red wine and a box of tempting chocolates Available for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

Pots and Containers Book, at Marks & Spensers
A beautiful range of 5 gardening titles, full of inspiring ideas and tips both for the novice and more experienced gardener. From pots and small backyards to larger gardens, feel confident in choosing the right flowers and shrubs for the right place all year round! Packed full of wonderful colour photography, these books will prepare and motivate you to garden

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Chino Shorts, at Marks & Spencer
Think smart on those warmer days and nights with the design of these great value shorts. Pair with sandals and a T-shirt or team with a short sleeve shirt and boat shoes for a dressier casual look

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Classic Pleat Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
The perfect accompaniment to that classic tuxedo, this elegant dress shirt is tailored to reveal a smart, stylish appearance

Bright Prints A5 Academic Diary, at Marks & Spenser
1 diary (week to view) Approx size: 21 x 15 cm (including spiral binding)

Pure Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Check Top, at Mark & Spensers
Smart and stylish, this 3/4 sleeve top is made from cool comfortable cotton and features a check design

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Textured Knitted Top, at Mark & Spencers
A casual 3/4 sleeve top in soft textured fabric, featuring a scallop trim and round neck

Autograph Quad Shade Eyeshadow, at Marks & Spencers
Powder eyeshadow Hypo-allergenic Contains 4 shades

Signature Ginger Lily Infusion Sticks, at Marks and Spencers
Ginger lily scented infusion sticks Fragrance lasts upto 8 weeks Glass holder included, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Cornelli Cleopatra Top, at Marks & Spencer
A fashionable sleeveless top featuring cornelli neck embellishment

3 Pairs of Textured Microfibre Socks, at Marks & Spensers
These soft rib trim socks have added stretch for comfort and durability so they'll last wear after wear

Signature Ginger Lily Pot Pourri Box, at M&S
Ginger lily fragrance Presented in a box, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Firm Control Chevron Stripe Multiway Body, at M & S
Look slimmer in seconds! This firm control body gently shapes your figure all over for a smoother, sleeker silhouette. The versatile multiway style can be worn strapless, halterneck, cross back or one-shoulder

Victoria Sunglasses, at Mark's & Spencer
These elegantly understated sunglasses will never go out of style. A fabulously versatile summer essential

Funnel Neck Long Sleeve Performance Jacket, at Marks & Spencer
Ideal for active wear, this Performance jacket incorporates moisture management technology. The high-performance fabric draws moisture away from the skin to the surface, keeping you drier. Designed for a great fit and essential ease of movement

Autograph Pure Cotton Embroidered Dress with Belt, at Mark & Spencers
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in smart styles and high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

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

Stormwear™ Pure Cotton Ambassador Stripe Hat, at Mark & Spencers
Designed to keep you dry, this hat is treated with Stormwear™, a unique finish that repels water and stains

Pure Cotton Combat Trousers with Belt, at M+S
Relaxed and comfortable, these combat trousers in pure soft cotton features multiple pockets. A practical easycare style

Short Sleeve Dog Print T-Shirt, at Marks & Spensers
A dog print adds a cute touch to this soft cotton top.

Stainless Steel Pasta Server, at Marks & Spencer
Loop in the handle for hanging L32.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Little Acorns Mini Record Book and CD Album with 4 CDs, at Marks and Spencer
Pack contains: 1 record book, 4 pre-labelled CDs Approx size: Book dimensions: H140 x W140 x D32 mm

Autograph Pure Cotton Paisley Camisole, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

Leather Coated Four Way Reversible Belt, at Marks & Spencer
Add a smart finishing touch with this leather coated four way reversible belt

Blue Fabric Textured Floral Sister Birthday Card, at Marks&Spencer
Cover Text: Hope you have a lovely birthday sister Inside Message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm

125 Years Leather Classic Monk Shoes, at Marks & Spencer
Pointed toe Punch feature Stitch detail Buckle fastening Block heel

Autograph Pure Wool Pinstripe Suit Jacket, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and contemporary, this pinstriped suit jacket is made from pure new wool for strength, comfort and durability. Ideal for sixth form wear

Besides Marks and Spencer 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 M&S 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.