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 Marks and Spencers are so useful. M&S Money 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, Household Insurance policies. Usually, UK Household 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 Household 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 Household Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

When you're shopping at Marks & Spencer 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. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Household Insurance and Car 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 Money. 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, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Money 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."

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 Mark & Spencers 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 & Spencer, through its M&S Money website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Car Insurance, M&S Household Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Georgian Antique Silver-Effect Headboard, at Marks and Spenser
Headboard H84cm Single: W94cm Double: W142cm King size (5ft): W155cm Super king size (6ft): W185cm Antique-silver effect Delivered boxed to your door. No assembly required but you will need to unpack and position the item yourself This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Photo Frame with Mount 20 x 25cm (8 x 10"), at Marks & Spencer
Plain photoframe Removeable mount card Aperture: 8 x 10'' H38 x W33cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Happy Birthday Dog Card, at M+S
Cover text: Happy Birthday to you Inside message: Have a fun day Approx size: 174 x 126mm

Pure Cotton Printed Cars Polo Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Fans of Cars will love this cotton polo shirt featuring the popular character. A practical, easycare style

Secret Support™ Sports Mule Slippers, at Marks and Spencer
Mule style Slip on Contrast stitching Piping detail Flat sole Comes in sizes 3-8

Long Sleeve Floral Print Top with Silk, at Marks & Spenser
This long sleeved top will make a useful addition to your wardrobe. It features pretty floral print details for a stylish casual look

Sleeveless Twin Button Dress, at Marks & Spenser
Sleek and chic, this sleeveless dress is tailored to fit and flatter. A stylish choice for work or smart occasions and it's machine washable for added convenience

White Rattan 3-Tier Storage Unit, at M&S
3 baskets with hand holes Rattan design Free standing W39 x D34 x H80cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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

Younger Girls' Plain Fluffy Dressing Gown, at Marks and Spencer
Soft and cosy, this dressing gown is made from comfy fluffy fabric

Per Una Faux Fur Lined Boot Slippers, at Marks and Spencer
Round toe Suede-effect Faux fur lining and trim Flat sole Side tie detail Knee length

Autograph Damask Jaquard Table Runner, at M&S
Damask design Jaquard detail Dimensions: 33cm x 230cm Think climate! This can be washed effectively at 30C, find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Single Estate Grenache Blanc 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Grenache Blanc Country of origin: France Closure: Synthetic closure Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.8 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.6 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Collezione Pure Wool Single Breasted 3 Button Grey Stripe Jacket, at Marks & Spencers
Italian tailoring is renowned for its sophisticated style. Each collezione suit is designed with that same passion, using the finest fabrics and best tailoring techniques. Inspired by Italian flair, we've lavished time and care on this garment to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

Girls' Limited Cotton Rich Skinny Jeans, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Girls Limited, a contemporary casual collection in trend-conscious styles and soft comfortable fabrics, designed for easy layering. Perfect for stylish girls who love looking fashionable

Older Girls' Widefit Permair™ Leather Flower Bar School Shoes, at M & S
Round toe Floral detail Riptape fastening strap Flat sole Scuff resistant Permair™ micro porous coating makes the shoes scuff- and water-resistant and easy to clean, while allowing feet to breathe

Per Una Rainbow Stripe Bikini Bottoms, at Marks and Spenser
Fashionable stripe bikini bottoms featuring a side tie

Percy Pig Cushion, at M & S
Percy pig design Round shape Matching items available Diam 35cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Woven Straw Double Chain Holiday Bag, at Marks & Spencers
Stylish and useful, this holiday bag features a woven design. A practical and fashionable accessory

Pompenette Terracotta, at Marks and Spencer
Add a dash of gorgeous colour to any outside setting with this pompenette, planted in a simple terracotta pot. Colour of pompenette varies Available for delivery from 1st August to 30th September 2009

Ruby Cup & Saucer - Black, at Marks and Spenser
2 piece set Slim handle stripe cup All over stripe saucer Saucer diam 14.5cm Cup height 5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Scattered Star Print Umbrella, at Marks & Spencer
Brighten up rainy days with this colourful lightweight umbrella

If You're Happy And You Know It Sound Book, at Marks and Spenser
Children will love pressing the buttons while singing along to if you're happy and you know it. Comes with the beautifully illustrated nursery rhyme book

XBOX 360® Viva Piñata: Party Animals Game, at Mark & Spensers
Includes more than 40 mini games and a dozen foot races for players to compete against one another to collect candy and bonuses in exotic and hazard-filled locations Appealing to kids or those just young-at-heart, this unique social party game rewards and challenges all players regardless of their skill level Up to four players can play simultaneously 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

Per Una Linen Blend Zig Zag Stripe Skirt, at Marks & Spencer
An elegant knee-length skirt in a crisp linen blend. The zig zag stipe detail give it the Per Una touch

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Check Shirt, at Mark & Spencers
Smart and stylish, this pure cotton check shirt is outstanding value!

Firm Control Lace Knickers, at Marks & Spenser
Look slimmer in seconds! These firm control knickers gently flatten tummies for a sleeker, slimmer silhouette

Girls' Limited Baker Boy Hat & Gloves, at Mark & Spencers
Snug and cosy, this fabulous hat and scarf set is a fashionable choice for chilly weather

Knotted Slouch Bag, at Marks and Spencers
A casual vintage style pleated bag. Add a fabulously fashionable finish to your look!

4 Linen Mugs - Beige, at Marks and Spencer
Set of 4 Linen floral print Height: 11cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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