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 n Spencer are so useful. M&S Financial Services financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & 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 Marks n 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, 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 Financial Services UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Autograph Pure Wool Flat Front Broken Stripe Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable and contemporary, these flat frot trousers are part of our exclusive Autograph collection. A great design, superior fabric and careful attention to detail make them exceptionally stylish and comfortable

Per Una Long Sleeve Drape Bolero with Vest, at M&S
A fashionable long sleeve bolero with drape design. It comes with a matching vest featuring a front button panel

Collezione Leather Hip Wallet, at Marks and Spenser
Smart, stylish and practical, leather wallet makes it easy to organise cards, notes and coins

Woven Silk Multi Stripe Tie with Stain Defence™, at MarksandSpencer
This woven silk tie has been treated with our stain defence™ technology giving inbuilt resistance to everyday spills, this repellence benefit is maintained after dry cleaning

5 Pairs of Older Boys' Cotton Rich Assorted Socks, at Marks and Spencers
The plain and stripe design adds a stylish touch to these comfortable cotton rich socks

North Coast Pure Cotton Washed Denim Shirt, at Marks & Spensers
This pure cotton shirt has been dyed using a special process to give an authentic washed down look which will fade fashionably with time and wear

Collezione Gradient Stripe Tie, at Marks & Spenser
Stylish and luxurious, this pure silk tie is part of Collezione, a sophisticated menswear collection inspired by Italian tailoring

Cookware - EGG POACHER, at M+S
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Mini Limited Pure Cotton Tulip Skirt with Leggings, at Mark & Spencers
Mini Limited is a collection of cute fun styles designed in the latest looks. The casual, contemporary pieces are comfortable, easy to wear and perfect for layering

Limited Collection Lampshade Mini Skirt, at M & S
Part of Limited Collection's LA Love trend. Feminine, soft and laid back, this is a fashionable LA look with a boho vibe. Beautiful fabrics and playful prints are key

Anthony Bear Hand Finished Multipack of Cards, at M & S
Cover text: Design 1: have a lovely Easter, Design 2: Happy Easter! Design 3: spring wishes Inside message: All designs, blank for your own message Pack contains: 6 cards, 3 designs Approx size: 147 x 70mm

Autograph Pure Silk 3 Layer Short Sleeve Top, at Marks and Spencers
Part of Autograph's Luxe Tradition trend. Luxurious and contemporary with a sense of British heritage, this trend features a soft colour palette, modern prints and beautiful fabrics. A sophisticated look for the new season

Autograph Pure Silk Tie, at M & S
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this contemporary floral pattern tie in pure silk

Classic Collection Waterfall Jersey Top, at Mark's & Spencer
Ideal for everyday wear, this smart top is made from soft easycare fabric and the fit is comfortable and flattering. A fashionable and practical style

Signature Green Fig Burner & Refresher Oil, at Marks & Spencer
Green fig fragrance 15ml, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Stainless Steel Avocado Slicer, at Marks & Spencers
Looped handle for hanging storage L21cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Airflex™ Leather Loafer Shoes, at Marks & Spencer
Smart and stylish, these shoes are specially designed with the Airflex™ sole system. This innovative technology gives your feet enhanced support, comfort and flexibility

3 Pairs of Cotton Blend Socks with Linen, at Mark's & Spencer
Soft and comfortable, these cotton blend socks are naturally breathable and absorbent, keeping feet dry and comfy. A reinforced heel and toe gives extra durability

4 Pavilion Platinum Band Mugs, at Marks & Spencers
Set of 4 Platinum band in centre Sleek handle Height: 8.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ben 10 Wrap Pack, at Mark & Spencers
2 sheets, 2 tags Each sheet: 495 x 695mm Tags: 80 x 55mm (folded) TM & 2008 Cartoon Network. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved

Floral Collection Iris Moisturising Hand & Body Lotion, at Marks and Spenser
Iris fragrance Moisturiser Hand and body lotion 250ml

Stripe Jug, at Marks & Spensers
Stripe design Single handle Pouring spout, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Bow Charm Necklace, at M&S
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Link chain Bow feature Heart and star charms Necklace length 43cm, extendable by 5cm

Pure Cotton Hooded Check shirt, at Marks and Spencers
Relaxed and comfortable, this fashionable hooded top is made from pure cotton and features a check print. A practical easycare style

Uva Mira Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Medium Dry Grape variety: 52% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 15% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 11.3 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.7 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

A Note to Say Postbox Notecards Multipack, at Marks and Spencers
Cover Text: A Note to Say Inside message: blank for your own message Pack contains: 8 cards, 1 design Approx size: 118 x 118mm

Per Una Woven Neck Bib Top, at M & S
An elegant short flared sleeve top featuring a ditsy print and woven neck bib

Autograph Weekend Satin Finish Stripe Nightshirt, at Marks & Spencers
Luxurious and sophisticated, this modern nightshirt is part of our exclusive Autograph Weekend collection. Made from the softest fabrics for the ultimate in comfort, it's beautifully designed and finished

Platinum Plated Daisy Stud Earrings, at M&S
Butterfly fastening Flower design Platinum plated For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Plain Navy Pyjamas, at Marks & Spencers
Crisp and comfortable, these cotton blend pyjamas are outstanding value

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Financial Services. Not least of these is M&S Standard Motor Insurance. With M&S Financial Services you can keep the cost of your Motor Insurance down by choosing Standard cover, over Premier Cover. UK Vehicle can then be added to your policy as optional extras, if you wanted to.

If you're thinking of adding both Breakdown Cover and Motor Legal Protection, then it would cost less to upgrade to Premier Motor Insurance cover from M&S Financial Services, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Motor Insurance policies on offer from Marks & Spencers, and these include: Courtesy car (subject to availability); Loss, theft, damage and destruction of vehicle; Loss or damage to personal property in vehicle; Personal accident cover up to £10,000; Windscreen cover (£75 excess); a 24 hour claims service, and many other options as standard on each policy. In short, with Motor Insurance from Marks & Spencer Money, you get more, and you pay less.