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 Finance financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks and 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, Buildings & Contents Insurance policies. Usually, UK Buildings & Contents 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 Finance Buildings & Contents 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 Finance Buildings & Contents 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 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 & Spencers, through its M&S Finance 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 & Contents Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

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 Finance. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings & Contents Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks and Spencers than you might imagine.

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

Birthday Gift Card, at MarksandSpencer
Can be redeemed in any of our UK stores and online Credit card-sized Gift Card with presentation greetings card Gift Cards can be topped up in stores to the maximum value of 500 Gift Cards are valid for 24 months after last use Frequently asked questions Click here to view frequently asked questions about our Gift Cards Click here for full Gift Card terms and conditions This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Autograph Exclusive Floral Sequin Headdress, at Marks & Spencer
Fashionable and elegant, this headdress features intricate sequin and flower detailing. Sure to turn heads at stylish summer events!

Pure Cotton Ruffle Check Shirt, at M&S
Casual and contemporary, this check shirt is made from pure soft cotton. The ruffle bib adds a fashionable finishing touch

Pure Cotton Fine Rib Runner, at Marks & Spencer
Ribbed design Plain, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Charades Card Game, at Marks & Spensers
Number of players: 2+ Suitable for ages 8+ Contains: 90 large game cards, instruction card, card holder Approx. card size: 83 x 116mm This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Scallop Trim Stripe Shorts, at Marks and Spencer
Low rise shorts are perfect for wearing with hipster styles and these pretty stripe shorts are shapely and modern. Added stretch gives a comfortable, flattering fit

Per Una Long Sleeve Water Repellent Jacket, at Marks & Spencer
A casual short jacket featuring a large collar and stitch detail.

Leather Plaque Buckle Belt, at M&S
Add a smart finishing touch with this pure leather belt featuring a plaque buckle

2 Glitter Hair Clips, at Mark & Spencers
Dress up those tresses in fabulous style with these stylish glitter design hair clips

2 Piece Autograph Check Pinafore Outfit with Wool, at Marks & Spenser
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

Cotton Blend Bold Stripe Bedset, at Marks and Spencer
Bold stripe design Single set includes single duvet cover (3ft) and 1 pillowcase Double set includes double duvet cover (4ft6in) and 2 pillowcases King size includes king size duvet cover (5ft) and 2 pillowcases, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Artificial Rose Spring Flowers with Ceramic Vase, at M & S
Artificial roses in a ceramic vase Diameter: 36cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Mini Travel Alarm Clock, at Marks & Spensers
Dimensions: H6 x W6 x D3cm Analogue display Glow in the dark hands Light/snooze button

2 Autograph Supima® Assorted Trunks, at Marks & Spencer
Exceptionally comfortable, these boxers are made from luxurious Supima cotton which is softer, stronger and more absorbent than ordinary cotton

2 Autograph Plain Slips with Cotton, at Marks & Spencer
Guaranteed to meet your everyday underwear needs, these great slips combine all the comfort and reliability of a cotton and modal blend with a plain design

Cotton Blend Plain Cord Trousers, at Marks n Spencer
Flattering and feminine, bootcuts make legs look longer and are kind to curves. This pair sits on the waist and is designed to give a shapely silhouette. Added stretch gives the perfect fit

Luxury Lace Total Support Bra, at Marks and Spencer
Feel fabulous and comfortable in this elegant and supportive bra. It's lightweight yet shaped to give all-round lift and support thanks to extra wide back straps and wide shoulder straps

Double Button Wide Leg Trousers, at Marks and Spenser
Fluid and feminine, these wide leg trousers are cut to flatter, giving an elegant silhouette. Practical and fashionable, they make a great choice for work or smart occasions

Platinum Plated Stud & Hoop Duo Earrings Set, at Mark's & Spencer
Set of 2 Butterfly stud fastening Diamant detail For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Per Una Roma Self Stripe Bootleg Trousers, at Marks & Spencers
A smart pair of bootleg trousers featuring self stripe design

Autograph Pure Silk Assorted Stripe Tie, at Marks & Spencers
Fashionable and contemporary, this pure silk tie is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Designer style and luxury at high street prices

Autograph Silk Rich Pleated String, at Marks and Spencers
Elegant and feminine this figure-hugging string is made from a luxurious silk rich fabric and finished with a contrast lace trim. The modern low rise, high leg styling gives a flattering shapely fit. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2008 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Chardonnay Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 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

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Frill Front Top, at Marks and Spenser
Bring some casual elegance to your wardrobe with this short sleeve top, that features frilled neckline with lace giving it an extra stylish twist

2 Pairs of Ben 10 Socks, at MarksandSpencer
A must for all fans of Ben 10, these outstanding value socks feature assorted Ben 10 designs

Lisa Jane Fairies Multipack of Mini Cards, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text for design 1: Just to say, design 2 and 3: blank and design 4: Thank you Inside message: blank for your own message Contains: 8 cards, 4 designs Approx size: 95 x 80mm 2007 Lisa Jane/Haley Medai. Licensed by MGL, UK www.mgl-uk.com www.lisajane.com

Pure Cotton Straight Leg Jeans with Belt, at Marks & Spencer
These straight leg jeans in pure cotton are great value. A practical, easycare style

Maxim Champagne Flute, at Marks & Spenser
Tinted glass Slim stem H23cm 18cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Petite Single Breasted 3 Button Jacket, at M & S
Modern and stylish, this single breasted jacket is beautifully designed for a flattering, sophisticated look. Specially designed and perfectly proportioned for the petite frame

Cotton Rich Lace Trim Midi Knickers, at Marks and Spencer
Pretty and feminine, these spot print midi briefs are extremely comfortable to wear and give good coverage at the front and back

M&S Finance 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 Finance 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 Mark's & 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, Sainsburys, 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 Finance UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.