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 Spencer are so useful. M&S Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & Spenser 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, Home Insurance policies. Usually, UK Home 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 Home 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 Home Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

When you're shopping at M&S 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 Home Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks and Spencer 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."

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

Angel Sleeve Tie Front Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
Modern and stylish, this cardigan features a tie fastening. A great work-to-evening style

Hibiscus Floral Swim Shorts, at M&S
Colourful and modern, these drawstring shorts fit comfortably and securely. A practical and stylish choice

Floral Print Flexilite Umbrella, at Marks and Spencers
Brighten up rainy days with this stylish lightweight umbrella

Elastic Strap Mid Heel Shoes, at M & S
Pointed toe Slip on Elastic strap Mid heel

Stitched Cotton Sunburst 70th Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: 70 Congratulations Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 175 mm x 125 mm

Autograph Weekend Cotton Blend Hooded Jumper, at Marks & Spencer
Part of Autograph Weekend's Sloane trend. Casual yet sophisticated, this is weekend dressing at its most stylish. Featuring a cool colour palette of crisp navy, neutrals and red, this is an effortlessly chic look for the new season

Stainless Steel Can Opener, at Marks & Spencer
Loop in the handle for hanging Chunky grips Can and bottle opener, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Pure Cotton 3 piece Stripe Hooded Outfit, at Marks & Spencers
Fun and practical, this cute 3 piece outfit features a stripe design. It's made from pure soft cotton to keep him comfy. With luxury in every detail, this is part of our exclusive Autograph collection

Pure Cotton Scoop Button Neck Jersey Top, at Marks and Spencer
Bring some casual elegance to your wardrobe with this 3/4 sleeve jersey top featuring button detailing at the neckline giving it an extra stylish twist

Magic Lock Towel Ring, at Mark & Spensers
Wall mounted H19 x W24cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Gold Plated Faux Pearl Trio Earrings, at Marks & Spencers
3 piece set Stud fastening Faux pearl design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Younger Boys' Holiday Cloggs, at Marks and Spencers
Round toe Flat sole Adjustable strap Holiday motifs

Craft-Look Dandelion Clocks Multipack of Cards, at Marks & Spenser
Pack contains: 8 cards, 2 designs Cover text: All cards are blank Inside message: blank for your own message Approx size: 138 x 138mm

Walkmates Pure Leather Riptape Shoes, at Marks & Spencers
Round toe Stitch detail Cutaway design Riptape fastening Flat sole

Bees Thank You Teacher Multipack, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Design 1: thank you Design 2: thank you teacher Inside message: Both designs: you're the best 6 cards, 2 designs Approx size: 130 x 130mm

Macon Rouge 2007 - Case of 12, at M & S
Style: Medium bodied Grape variety: Gamay Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians 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

Schoolwear Plus Fit 3 Easycare Long Sleeve Shirts, at Marks and Spencer
This 3 pack of larger sized easycare long sleeve shirts is outstanding value! A school essential View Plus Schoolwear Size Guide. Find out more

Collezione 2 Button Suedette Jacket, at Marks and Spencer
A suedette finish adds a luxuriously soft sheen to this smart casual jacket. Inspired by the natural understated elegance of Italian style, the single breasted design offers a slim and contemporary silhouette

Petite Pure Silk Animal Print Shift Dress, at Marks & Spencers
Fashionable and modern, this luxurious silk dress makes a stunning style statement. Specially designed and perfectly proportioned for the petite frame

Silver Jewel Effect Roll Wrap, at Marks and Spencer
Includes 1 roll wrap Approx. size: 150 x 70cm

5 Younger Girls' Pure Cotton Sleeveless Plain Vests, at Marks and Spencer
Stock up on stylish essentials with this 5 pack of cotton vests

Large Inner Damask Shade, at Marks & Spencers
Oversized black shade Inner flocked damask 46 x 46 x 32cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

5 Pairs of 15 Denier Shine Tights, at M&S
Complete with added stretch for shape retention and essential comfort. These simply outstanding tights are a terrific option for ensuring your legs look and feel their everyday best

Classic Collection Floral Print Sleeveless Dress, at Marks and Spenser
Pretty and feminine this lovely dress is made from soft floral print fabric. A fashionable style with a comfortable, flattering fit

125 Years Luxury Pure Wool Flat Front Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
Part of the Commemorative Collection, celebrating 125 years of M&S. Featuring smart styles inspired by our archives

12 Piece Linen Dinner Set - Sage, at Mark & Spensers
Includes 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates and 4 cereal bowls Dinner Plate: Diam 27.5cm Side plate: Diam 20.5cm Cereal bowl: Diam 17cm Floral linen design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Airflex™ Cool Lace Up Apron Shoes, at Marks & Spensers
Round toe Stitch detail Lace up Unique Airflex™ airflow system for unbeatable comfort

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Plain Polo Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Casual and relaxed, this plain polo shirt is made from pure cotton so it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Pure Duck Down Pillow, at Marks&Spencer
Pure duck down 230 thread count and 100% cotton downproof cover Light and natural filling W48cm x L76cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Pleat Detail Bowler Bag with Corsage, at Marks & Spencers
Pleat detail and rose corsage makes this fashionable bag even more special. Give your look the Per Una twist!

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