Besides M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Financial Services Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Financial Services 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 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 Marks n Spencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Financial Services 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.

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 M+S 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 & Spenser, 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 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 & Spensers 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 Buildings & Contents Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks and Spenser 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."

Pom Pom Collar Necklace, at Marks and Spencers
Chunky design Ribbon chain Tie fastening Necklace length: 109cm

Easycare Short Sleeve Check Shirt, at Marks & Spensers
This comfortable shirt is so easy to care for; it can be washed and worn regularly while keeping a pristine appearance

Collezione 2 Button Suedette Jacket, at Marks&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

6 Square Hair Clips, at M & S
Dress up those tresses in fabulous style with these colourful hair clips

Pure Cotton Block Stripe Hooded Top, at Marks & Spencers
Relaxed and casual, this comfortable hoodie is made from pure cotton and features stripe design. A great value easycare style

Autograph Wool Rich Slim Suit Trousers, at Marks & Spensers
These slim fit trousers are cut closer for a cleaner sharper silhouette. Designed in a contemporary style, they give a longer, leaner appearance and a flattering fit. These hardwearing wool rich trousers are ideal for sixth form wear

2 Machine Washable Assorted Design Tie, at Marks and Spenser
No more trips to the drycleaners! These smart assorted design ties are machine washable

The Mini Crossword Puzzle Book, at M+S
There is probably no more satisfying a puzzle to solve than a crossword. Whether you have five minutes or five hours to spare, this superb collection of puzzles will challenge and entertain

Die Cut Handmade Flowers Anniversary Card, at M&S
Cover text: Happy Anniversary with love Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 175 mm x 125 mm

Autograph Cable Knit Shawl with Cashmere, at Mark & Spensers
Soft fabrics, fashionable designs and cute finishing touches make our babywear range outstanding. This high quality, great value shawl is designed to keep baby feeling comfy and happy. With luxury in every detail, this is part of our exclusive Autograph collection

Marks In Time-125 Years of Marks & Spencer Book, at Marks & Spencer
From pants to pudding; Marks & Spencer has been clothing, feeding and indulging the nation for an astonishing 125 years. In this book, Helen Chislett charts its history from Penny Bazaar market stall to national retail treasure. M&S pioneered a high street revolution, making it possible to offer everything from quality, fashionable clothes at an affordable price to truly mouth-watering, ready-prepared meals. For those who can't get enough of their favourite store, this book promises to answer your most pressing questions

Aluminium Deep Roasting Tray, at Marks & Spencers
Non-stick Teflon coated Dimensions: L31 x W20.5 x D3cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Scenic Print Top, at Mark & Spensers
A scenic print makes this soft cotton top extra cute

Fabric Textured Floral Auntie Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: To a dear Auntie Inside message: Wishing you a special birthday Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Firm Control Sheer High Leg Briefs, at Mark's & Spencer
Look slimmer in seconds! These firm control knickers gently flatten tummies for a sleeker, slimmer silhouette

Pure Wool Shaggy Rug, at Marks & Spencers
Rectangular shape Shaggy Plain, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Embroidered Frosted Circle Shower Curtain, at Marks & Spencer
Embroidered frosted circle design L180 x W180cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Birthday Pants Card, at Mark & Spencers
Cover text: Beautiful birthday 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: 230 x 114mm

Jacquard Spot Non-Padded Underwired DD-G Bra, at Marks & Spencers
Soft and comfortable, this jacquard spot design bra is ideal for everyday wear. It's underwired and shaped for an uplifted natural look

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Stripe Polo Shirt, at M+S
Stylishly smart casual, this polo shirt is made from pure cotton so it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Sherwood Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spenser
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Noir Country of origin: New Zealand Closure: Screw cap 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

Cotton Rich Stripe Vest Top with Bow, at MarksandSpencer
A great value fashion essential. This contemporary top features a bow and stripe design for a modern look

5 No VPL High Rise Full Briefs, at Marks and Spencer
These no VPL full briefs are perfect for everyday wear. Added stretch gives a comfortable fit and shape retention

Autograph Contrast Block Court Shoes, at Marks & Spenser
Round toe Contrast toe and heel Slip on High heel Heel height: 8cm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes Made with Insolia technology, an exclusive innovation that makes high heels more comfortable to wear and better for your body's alignment and balance. They work by taking the weight off your toes, so there's less pressure and more stability. Your legs, back and feet stay more comfy all day

Elegant Dress Daughter 21st Birthday Card, at M&S
Cover text: 21 today, Wonderful Daughter Inside message: Hope you have a lovely birthday This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 175 x 126mm

Per Una Lace Body Jersey Top with Camisole, at MarksandSpencer
A gorgeous lace body jersey top with camisole featuring embroidered neckline trim and three button detail

Artificial Hydrangea in Copper Bowl, at Marks and Spenser
Artificial hydrangea flowers Oval copper bowl No watering required therefore easy care Fresh looking throughout the year H28cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Long Sleeve Dip Dye Cardigan, at Marks and Spencers
A stylish long sleeve cardigan featuring a dip dyed design and twin front pockets

Per Una Roma Textured Stripe Bootleg Trousers with Belt, at Mark's & Spencer
A stylish pair of bootleg trousers in stretch cotton featuring a self stripe design and buckle belt

Kitchen Classics: Slow Cooking Cook Book, at Marks and Spenser
The ideal book for time-strapped cooks or busy households, Slow Cookers shows you how to transform many foods, particularly meat, into morsels of melting tenderness, with not much more exertion than the flicking of a switch. Slow cookers have been around since the 1960s and have always had their devotees but now more and more cooks are wising up to the time and budget saving capabilities of the slow cooker

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 and 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.