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&Spencer are so useful. M&S Financial Services financial products are, of course, designed to make Mark & 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, 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 Financial Services 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 Financial Services Household Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

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

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 Mark's & Spencer 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 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 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.

Short Sleeve Hello Kitty Top, at Marks & Spencers
Fans of Hello kitty will love this cotton top featuring the popular character. A practical, easycare style

Traditional Scroll Pencil Pleat Curtains, at Marks and Spencers
Traditional scroll print Pencil pleat Lined Come in standard 168cm/66'' (STD) and wider 219cm/86'' (WDR) widths Also comes in three drop lengths: short (137cm/54''), medium (183cm/72'') and long (229cm/90'') How to measure for window dressings: Click here for a guide to measuring for curtains, pelmets and roman blinds., Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Collezione Merino Wool V-Neck Jumper, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and contemporary, this v-neck jumper is part of Collezione, a sophisticated menswear collection inspired by Italian style

Long Sleeve Open Front Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
This casual open front cardigan makes the perfect light extra layer. It features pintuck detailing for an extra stylish touch

Hunter's Pinot Noir 2006 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir Country of origin: New Zealand Closure: Screw Cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.0 % 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

Villiera Brut Natural Chardonnay 2006 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Chardonnay Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12% vol Alcohol units per bottle: 9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.5 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Per Una Cotton Rich Cropped Ankle Jeans, at Marks and Spencers
A stylish cropped pair of jeans in stretch cotton featuring a slit side hem. Comes with a silver plaited belt, making it extra stylish

Per Una Elasticated Waist Belt, at Marks and Spencer
A bold buckle makes this fashionable belt even more special. Add a stylish finishing touch from Per Una

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Spot Print Pyjamas, at M&S
Pretty and feminine, these spot print pyjamas are made from soft breathable cotton for a comfortable night's sleep

White Pearl Damask Table Numbers, at Marks & Spencer
Contains: 12 table numbers Approx size: 150 x 110 mm

Craft and Foil 40th Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Forty 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 175 x 126mm

M&S 2GB Micro SD Memory Card, at Mark's & Spencer
Compatible with digital devices with a microSD card slot Read (MB /s): 10MB Write (MB /s): 3MB Available capacity: 1940MB 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

Portfolio Gathered Detail Metallic Mac with Belt, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Portfolio's Mimosa trend. A beautifully elegant look featuring chic, muted tones such as cocoa, mink, saffron and purple. Striking prints are key to this feminine trend

Autograph Pure Silk Big Button Cushion, at Marks & Spensers
Rectangular shape Button detail L43 x W60cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Pairs of Younger Boys' Disney Cars Socks, at Marks & Spencer
A must for fans of Disneys Cars these cotton blend socks feature the popular character

Humax PVR-9300T Personal Video Recorder with 320GB HDD & Twin Tuner, at Marks & Spenser
Digital terrestrial set-top box Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel Access to Freeview+ channels Simultaneous playback of previous recording and recording of 2 channels Up to 200 hours of recording on an integrated 320GB HDD MPEG-2 Digital & Fully DVB-T Compliant Picture In Picture (PIP) for viewing 2 programs on 1 screen Pause & Play live TV (Time Shift Recording) One touch record scheduling in EPG Common Interface for Pay TV Software Upgrade via OTA & serial connection (RS-232C) Dimensions: W36 x H5 x D24.5cm Weight: 2.9Kg

Portfolio Petite Ruffle Front Blouse, at Marks & Spencer
Part of Portfolio's Parisienne trend. Feel bold and chic in this feminine look inspired by Parisian style. With a striking colour palette of cream, ruby, black and dove grey, this is a style-conscious trend for the new season.

Limited Collection Quilted Toe Cap Shoes, at Marks and Spencers
Court style Almond toe Quilted toe cap and heel Single strap buckle fastening Mid heel Heel height: 72mm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

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

Long Length Cross Panel Skirt, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable and contemporary, this panelled skirt is designed to fit and flatter. A modern style essential

Maxim Butter Dish, at Marks and Spencer
Suitable for everyday use Pure white porcelain Versatile fine dining range L18 x W14.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Leather Stitch Workbag, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionable and practical, this work bag is a useful accessory with bags of style!

4 Size Funnel Set, at Marks and Spencer
Set of 4 Mixed sizes, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Vehicle Sticker Book, at M & S
Go sticker crazy with 1000 vehicle stickers. There are monster trucks, racing cars, planes, police cars, motorbikes and much more, all waiting for you inside. Play the cool sticker games and check out the sticker ideas. Stick them around your bedroom or on your clothes. Ready? Get sticking!

PlayStation®3 Virtua Tennis Game, at Marks & Spencers
Includes superstar players from the men's and women's circuit Play as Roger Federer and Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo Create your own tennis star to compete on the world tour 10 brand new mini games Suitable for 3 years and over 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 *Must be returned with the tamper seal intact for full refund

Limited Collection 3/4 Sleeve Snake Print Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
This cardigan is part of Limited Collection's Sahara City trend. Wild and natural with a slick cosmopolitan edge, this trend features modern graphic prints, statement pieces and a warm colour palette

Per Una Patent Finish Shopping Bag, at Mark's & Spencer
A patent finish makes this fashionable bag even more special. Give your look the Per Una twist!

Autograph Leather Faux Crocodile Skin Clutch Bag, at Marks and Spencers
Luxurious and beautiful, this faux crocodile handbag is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. It's made from soft hardwearing leather, and is useful and practical as well as being a highly desirable fashion accessory

3 Pairs of 15 Denier Ladder Resist Sheer Knee Highs, at Marks and Spencers
An M&S exclusive. Amazing yarn stops holes turning into ladders. Three way stretch gives a perfect fit. The comfort top is designed to keep them in place without leaving marks

Classic Collection Stitch Detail Long Skirt, at Marks and Spencer
Long and lovely, this flared skirt is a stylish, versatile choice.

Shopping for financial products at M&S Financial Services UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Mark's & Spencer online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the M&S Financial Services website:

• M&S Insurance: M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Household Insurance, M&S Life Insurance, M&S Wedding Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance
• M&S Credit Cards: M&S Credit Card, M&S Premium Club Card
• M&S Loans: M&S Car Buying Plan, M&S Personal Loans
• M&S Money: M&S Travel Money for your trips abroad
• M&S Savings: M&S Everyday Savings Account, M&S Fixed Rate Savings, M&S Stocks & Shares ISA, M&S Cash ISA, M&S Unit Trust

Of course, many of these types of product can be purchased elsewhere too; however, once you begin to take a closer look at the products from Marks and Spencer, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

And, just as importantly, contacting M&S Financial Services in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the M&S Financial Services website.