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

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

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 and Spenser, through its M&S Money Direct 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.

My First Sticker Book, at Marks & Spencers
Learning is easy with this big sticker book. Fun sticker activities and photographic pages are designed to introduce young children to key concepts, such as colours, numbers, letter practice, shapes and many more...

Per Una Pure Cotton Stripe Knitted Tunic, at MarksandSpencer
A fabulous longline knitted tunic in pure soft cotton featuring a stripe design and rear waist tie feature

Pull Cord Dynamo Camping Torch, at Marks & Spencer
Perfect to keep in your car, caravan, garage or backpack, this torch will never leave you in the dark, it requires no disposable batteries so this makes it an environmentally friendly torch, which saves money compared to conventional torches

Triple Bead Drop Earrings, at Mark's & Spencer
Hook fastening Drop style Triple bead design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Sonoma 2 Door Sideboard, at Marks & Spensers
H88 x W123 x D50cm 2 doors 2 drawers Made from solid oak and oak veneer This range features natural wood characteristics Finished with 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Drawer boxes and fronts made from solid Oak. Drawer bottoms made from White Oak veneer Side and back made from White Oak veneer Top panel is veneered with solid Oak edging for strength 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 manufacturers instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Collezione Textured Stripe Cufflinks, at Marks and Spencers
Smart and sophisticated, these cufflinks add a touch of Italian-inspired style

T394802, at Marks and Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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

Short Sleeve Pintuck Front Bow Top, at M&S
This fashionable jersey top features a stylish bow and pintuck detail for a fresh modern look

Per Una Pure Linen Shorts, at M+S
A relaxed pair of shorts featuring an on the waist design and side pockets

Lift The Flap Teddy Hunt Book, at Marks and Spencers
The picnic is ready but where is Spencer Bear? Young children will enjoy lifting the big flaps & the rhymes on each page

Travel Hair Turban, at Marks&Spencer
W60 x H23cm

Buxus Ball Topiary, at M+S
Presented in a smart planter, this buxus ball plant is a fantastic addition to any outdoor space Available for delivery from 28th April to 30th September 2009

Pure Cotton Play Time Combat Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
The cute design makes these combat trousers extra special. Soft cotton fabric and a waist tie will keep him feeling comfy

Clever Baby Touch & Learn Sounds Book, at Marks n Spencer
Touch and Learn Sounds encourages 1 to 2 year olds to build on their learning skills. Its lot of fun too with chunky tabs to choose from and different textures to touch and explore

Domaine de la Clapière Jardin de Jules 2006 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spenser
Style: Full Bodied Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork 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

Bart Simpson Video Game Player Birthday Card, at Marks n Spencer
Cover text: Happy Birthday Inside message: ... to a real player The Simpsons ™ and 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, All Rights Reserved. Approx size: 215 x 150mm

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

Portland Pasta Bowl, at MarksandSpencer
Portland dining range Multi stripe design H4.5 x Diam 23.5cm Dishwasher and microwave safe, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2'' Longer Easy Iron Pure Cotton Gingham Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
Stylish and innovative, this check easycare shirt is quick and easy to iron for a smart crisp look

Cotton Rich Low Rise Bikini Knickers, at Marks and Spencers
Pretty and feminine, these cute scallop trim bikini briefs sit low on the waist - perfect for wearing under hipsters. They're cut away at the front and sides and cover the bottom for a comfortable and flattering fit

Angel Cotton Rich Stripe First Bra & Shorts Set, at Marks & Spencer
This simply styled great value bra set is ideal for everyday wear. It's made with stretchy cotton for a supportive and comfortable fit and the non-wired design is the best choice for first bras

2 Younger Boys' Skull & Check Belts, at Marks n Spencer
Fun and fashionable, these elasticated skull and check belts add a stylish finishing touch

Inky Alliums Mum Birthday Card, at Marks and Spenser
Cover text: Mum, this brings lots of love and thanks for all that you do... Inside message: ...and wishes for a birthday that's wonderful like you Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Gold Plated Abalone Y Design Necklace & Earrings Set, at Mark's & Spencer
2 part set Hook fastening abalone drop earrings Y design necklace with intermittent beads

Recycled Satin & Suedette Bedcover, at Marks and Spencer
Suedette and satin design Quilted Approx size: 145 x 200cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Handcrafted Black Velvet Flock Valentine Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: Valentine 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 Approx size: 178 x 127mm

Bubble Base Decanter, at MarksandSpencer
Bubble base design Hand made glass with heavy base Height: 25.5cm Capacity: 750ml (75cl), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Digital Camera, at Marks n Spencer
Pixels: 12.1 megapixels Optical zoom: 5x Digital zoom: 4x ISO Sensitivity: Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 High Sensitivity (ISO 1600-6400) Dimensions: W9.7 x H5.4 x D2.1cm Weight: Approx. 138g with Battery and SD Memory Card, Approx. 116g (without) Recording Media: Built-in Memory (approx 50MB), SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard (Still image only) Built-in-Flash: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off 0.3 - 5.3m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 3.0m (Tele/ISO Auto) Self Timer: 2sec / 10sec Standard Accessories: Battery Charger, Battery Pack, Battery case / AV Cable, USB Connection Cable, AC Cable / Hand Strap, CD-ROM

M&S USB Mini Cable, at Marks and Spenser
1.8 metre cable 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

Besides MarksandSpencer Car Insurance, M&S Money Direct Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Money Direct Buildings & Contents 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 Money Direct 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 Marks & Spencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Money Direct Premier Buildings & Contents Insurance and Standard Buildings & Contents 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.