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 Financial Services financial products are, of course, designed to make M & S 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, Property Insurance policies. Usually, UK Property 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 Property 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 Property 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 Spenser 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 and Spencers, through its M&S Financial Services website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Property Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Besides Marks&Spencer Motor Insurance, M&S Financial Services Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Financial Services Property 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 Property Insurance and Standard Property 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.

Pure Cotton Heart Print Hooded Cardigan, at Marks & Spencer
Knitted in pure cotton, this heartb print hooded cardigan will keep her warm and comfy. It looks cuddly too!

Icon Letters Mum Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: Mum Inside message: With love and kisses This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Embroidered Hippo Booties, at Marks and Spencers
Embroidered hippo design Turn-over cuff Added stretch

Long Crinkle Stripe Panel Skirt, at Marks & Spencers
Long and lovely, this cotton blend skirt is a stylish, versatile choice. A fabulous fashionable look

Couple Dancing Wedding Card, at Marks and Spenser
Cover text: To a special couple with all out Love On your Wedding Day Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: Unfolded: 178 x 126mm

Fudge the Dog Daddy Birthday Card, at MarksandSpencer
Cover text: Happy Birthday Daddy Inside Message: With love x This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future 176 x 126 mm

Almond Toe Elastic Panel Knee High Boots, at Marks & Spencer
Almond toe Stitch detail Zip fastening Gusset feature Knee high Mid heel Heel height: 56mm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half size

Jumbled Numerals Wall Clock, at Marks & Spencer
Round face Jumbled numerals Metal case H30 x W30 x D5cm Weight: 0.75kgs 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Recycled Anti Allergy 13.5 Tog Duvet, at Mark & Spencers
Endorsed by the British Allergy Foundation Proven protection wash after wash Perfect for use with our range of anti allergy duvets, pillows and protectors 13.5 tog, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Artificial Orchid in Mirror Bowl, at Marks & Spencer
Artificial orchid Mirror bowl vase No watering required therefore easy care Fresh looking throughout the year Height: 50cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Single Sprung-Edge Suede Divan with 2 Small + 2 Large Drawers & Autograph F500 Latex Pillowtop Mattress, at Marks & Spensers
Double Mattress (4ft 6in): W135 x L190 cm King Size Mattress (5ft): W150 x L200 cm Super King Size Mattress (6ft): W180 x L200 cm Single Divan (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double Divan (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size Divan (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super King Size Divan (6ft): W180 x L200cm Mattress depth: 28.5cm Divan Height: 41cm Large Drawer: H14 x W78 x D52cm Small Drawer: H14 x W40 x D52cm Smaller drawers at the head end are designed to open without moving your bedside table Highly responsive pocketed springs Mattress features deep pillowtop layer of Talalay latex and luxurious white fibre Mattress also features two further layers of cotton and resilient white fibre for additional support Double row of hand side-stitching to add support to the edges Spring count: 1225 Can be used with any mattress All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected Mattress does not require turning All mattresses and Divans are manufactured in the UK A sample mattress is subjected to 3 rigorous tests to ensure it remains comfortable. Surface fabric is rubbed 15,000 times against a hard surface to test resistance to wear. Mattress is pounded by a machine 80,000 times to replicate the movements of a human torso and subjected to 20,000 rolls of a roller machine to simulate the rolling motion of a sleeping person Free eco-friendly home delivery. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Footglove™ Widefit Wedge Shoes, at Marks & Spencers
Square toe Riptape fastening Wedge heel Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight

Ivory and Black Cake or Favour Boxes, at Marks & Spencer
Contains: 10 cake or favour boxes Flat: 155 x 85 mm Folded: L130 x W80 x D27mm

Pure Chronos II DAB & FM Clock Radio, at M+S
Frequency ranges: DAB Band III 174-240 MHz, DAB L-Band 1452-1491 MHz and FM 87.5-108 MHz Speaker: Full-range 2" drive unit. 1.7W RMS amplifier. Active speaker equalization filter Input connectors: 5.5V DC power adaptor socket (230V supplied). Mini USB connector for product upgrades Output connectors: 3.5mm stereo output for headphones Controls: Power on/standby, volume +/-, snooze, menu, DAB/FM, sleep, alarm, preset, tune/select, select +/- LCD display: LCD display with 16x2 characters. Features auto-dimming backlight Mains power supply: 230V AC to 5.5V DC external power adapter Dimensions: H6 x W19 x D17cm Aerial: Wire aerial attached Alarm: Four independent alarm settings, with wake to tone, DAB, FM or CD options Light sensor: Light sensor automatically adjusts the display brightness to suit the light levels in your room Intellitext: Browse stored scrolling text at your convenience. Intellitext is available from participating stations Text scan: Pause and control scrolling text 20 Presets: 10 DAB and 10 FM RDS: RDS support for station name display on FM and RDS scrolling text USB: USB Add new features as they become available via USB 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Resident Evil: Apocalypse Blu-ray DVD, at Marks and Spencer
Rating Suitable for 15 years and over,

Per Una Lightweight Linen Blend Coat with Scarf, at Marks and Spencer
An elegant lightweight coat in a cool linen blend comes with scarf. Notch lapel and single button detail make it extra stylish

Collezione Luxury Wool Rich Flat Front Trousers, at Mark's & Spencer
Italian style is renowned for its attention to detail. Each collezione piece 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 these trousers to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

Stormwear™ Quilted Coat, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and practical, this quilted coat is warmly padded and partly lined with fleece. It's treated with our unique Stormwear™ technology which repels water and stains. Storm cuffs help keep arms warm and hold on gloves

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

2 Piece Embroidered Dress & Leggings Outfit, at Marks and Spencer
Modern and pretty, this 2 piece dress and leggings outfit looks fabulously fashionable worn together or separately

2 Lichfield Dining Chairs, at Marks & Spencer
Set of 2 Solid oak H103 x W47 x D54cm Seat: H52cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Spot Print Minishirt, at Marks & Spencer
Pretty and feminine, this spot print nightdress is made from soft breathable cotton for a comfortable night's sleep

Embroidered Turtle Swimshorts, at Marks&Spencer
Fun and fashionable, these lined shorts fit comfortably and securely. A turtle embroidered design adds a fab finishing touch

Sonoma Mirror, at Marks & Spencer
H85 x W128 x D3cm Wide frame Oak veneer Made from solid oak and oak veneer This range features natural wood characteristics Finished with 2 coats durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Why use veneers? Unlike solid timber, veneer does not twist/warp/split to the same degree. Only the finest logs are used in veneer production. It is environmentally sound and traditional - much of the finest cabinetry in the world is veneered Care & Cleaning - Wipe with a soft clean cloth and use a mild furniture cleaner or polish occasionally. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Hammered Square Detail Sunglasses, at Marks and Spencers
These elegantly understated sunglasses will never go out of style. A fabulously versatile summer essential

Autograph Double Button Straight Leg Trousers, at Mark's & Spencer
Luxurious and elegant, these smartly tailored straight leg trousers are part of our exclusive Autograph range

Detroit Media Unit, at Marks & Spencers
H50 x W95 x D40cm Equipment space: H15 x W83 x D36cm Made from White Oak solids and veneers Finished with 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of mid sheen Drawer boxes made from solid European hardwood. Draw fronts made from oak veneer Solid oak legs Shelves made with oak veneer All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Why use veneers? Unlike solid timber, veneer does not twist/warp/split to the same degree. Only the finest logs are used in veneer production. It is environmentally sound and traditional - much of the finest cabinetry in the world is veneered Care & Cleaning: Wipe with a soft clean cloth and use a mild furniture cleaner or polish occasionally. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

F100 Open Coil Memory Foam Coolmax° Mattress & Sprung Edge 4 Drawer Divan, at Marks and Spenser
No turn mattress Mattress and divan are anti-allergy Mattress: spring count 288, depth 23cm Divan height: 41.5cm Divan drawer size: 4 x large H15 x W78.4 x D53cm Single 3ft: W90 x L190cm (has 2 large right- or left-hand drawers) Double 4ft6: W135 x L190cm King size 5ft: W150 x L200cm Super king size 6ft: W180 x L200cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Wave Shade, at Marks n Spencer
Cylinder shade Wave design Contrast trim H 35.5 x Diam 30cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Round Toe Court Shoes, at Marks & Spencer
Heel height: 78mm Round toe Slip on Court style High heel Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

When you're shopping at Marks & 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 Property 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 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."