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 Financial Services. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Property Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Mark & Spencers 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."

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 & Spencer are so useful. M&S Financial Services financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks and Spencer 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.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Financial Services. Not least of these is Marks and Spenser 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 and Spencer, 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 M&S Money Direct, you get more, and you pay less.

Per Una Short Sleeve Ditsy Floral Print Tunic, at Marks and Spencers
A pretty short sleeve tunic in a soft stretch fabric. Featuring a ditsy floral print and tie bow design

Halterneck Floral Print Tankini, at Marks & Spencer
Great for splashing around in, this comfortable tankini features a floral print design

Cherry Mobile Phone Charm Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: A special birthday treat! Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 174 x 126mm

Gladiator Sandals, at Mark & Spensers
Buckle fastening Contrast stitching Flat sole

Per Una 2 Piece Stripe Trim Top & Scarf Set, at Marks & Spencer
A smart short sleeve top featuring a detachable scarf, the stripe trim makes it extra stylish

Pure Cotton Digital Watch Hooded Top, at Marks & Spencers
Fun and fashionable, this long sleeve hooded top in soft pure cotton features a digital watch motif. A practical easycare style

7 Pairs of Freshfeet Square Box Socks with Silver Technology, at Mark's & Spencer
Our odour control Freshfeet socks are now better than ever with a new Sanitised Silver finish. Known for its natural antibacterial properties, silver helps reduce the presence of bacteria that causes smelly odours, so your feet stay fresh with every step and it keeps working for the lifetime of the socks

The Gum Pinot Grigio 2008 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris) Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.5 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.8 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Leather Gibson Shoes, at Marks & Spencer
Smart casual style is a breeze with these modern leather gibson shoes. Relaxed, fashionable and comfortable

Cotton Rich Deep Lace Waist Shorts, at Marks and Spencers
These pretty lace shorts are shapely and modern. Added stretch gives a comfortable, figure-flattering fit

125 Years Retro Apron, at Marks&Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Litre Glass Mixing Bowl, at Mark & Spencers
2 litre capacity Classic shape Transparent, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Cotton Rich Pleat Stripe Shirt, at Marks & Spenser
A modern long sleeve shirt in soft cotton rich fabric featuring a pleat collar and neckline detail

Per Una Stripe Print Chiffon Dress, at Mark's & Spencer
An elegant sleeveless chiffon dress, featuring empire line and stripe design

Ceriso Styled Floral Embroidered Thong, at Marks & Spencer
Elegant and stylish, this modern thong features floral embroidery and a lace trim. It fits and drapes beautifully and feels blissfully comfortable to wear. Feminine everyday lingerie

Ella Fitzgerald - The Legend CD, at Marks and Spencer
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Red & Whites Welcome Mix - Case of 12, at Marks & Spenser
1 Pinot Grigio Trentino 2008: A delightful example of Pinot Grigio from the cool foothills of Trentino in northern Italy... 1 Spinsanti Chardonnay 2008: An elegant and refreshing, lightly oaked Chardonnay from the Mendoza region of Argentina... 2 Domaine de L'Arbre Blanc 2008: A deliciously fruity Mediterranean white from the sunny South of France... 2 Aldea White 2008: This fruity, unoaked white wine is bursting with flavours of pineapple, apricot and aromatic herbs... 1 Solar Viejo Rioja Crianza 2005: If you are looking for a beautifully balanced, easy-drinking Rioja Crianza, then look no further... 1 Spinsanti Malbec 2008: A beautifully balanced and lusciously fruity Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina... 2 La Borie Merlot 2008: This deeply coloured, ripe and spicy Merlot from the Languedoc is packed with juicy black cherry and damson fruit... 2 Aldea Red 2008: A deliciously fresh, herb-scented red from the sunny uplands of eastern Spain... You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Ultimate Stormwear™ Pure New Wool Single Breasted 2 Button Jacket, at Marks & Spencer
This high performance suit is made to work as hard as you do. It's extra durable and added stretch keeps it in great shape while giving you enhanced comfort and ease of movement

Wool Rich Single Breasted 2 Button Jacket, at Marks n Spencer
Hours of handcrafting have gone into this superior quality suit for authentic tailored style. Every detail has been carefully considered to give a luxurious look and feel

Autograph Bronzer Brush, at Marks and Spencer
Handmade Enables you to achieve a controlled light and even coverage

Floral Mesh Bodyshaper Tights, at Marks & Spenser
Bodyshaper tights are made to shape and lift your curves for a firm sculpted look. Added stretch moulds your figure for a more defined silhouette

3 Pairs of Textured Microfibre Socks, at Marks & Spencer
These soft rib trim socks have added stretch for comfort and durability so they'll last wear after wear

Autograph Essentials Bootleg Trousers with Wool, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Autograph Essentials - a collection of luxurious and timeless wardrobe must-haves featuring premium design and sophisticated styling

Classic Collection Paisley Print Scarf Top, at Marks & Spencer
Modern and stylish, this top is made from soft easycare fabric and features a paisley print scarf. A fashionable style with a comfortable, flattering fit

Mini Limited Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Corsage Top, at Marks & Spenser
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

Floral Print Shorts, at Marks & Spencers
These pretty floral print shorts are shapely and modern. Added stretch gives a comfortable, figure-flattering fit

Assorted Bead Necklace & Earrings Set, at Marks&Spencer
2 part set Mixed bead necklace with adjustable length and clasp fastening Stud earrings Assorted bead design

Double Breasted Mid Length Coat, at Marks&Spencer
A smart coat in a flattering shape will never go out of style. This coat is made from a machine washable, non iron fabric for added convenience

His & Hers Card Game, at M & S
Number of players: 2 teams, 2 female players, 2 male players Suitable for ages 14+ Pack contains: 60 male question cards, 60 female question cards, score pad, pencil, sand timer and instructions Approx. card size: 89 x 59mm This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Big & Tall Silk Blend Single Breasted 2 Button Jacket, at Mark & Spencers
Specially proportioned for big and tall men, this single breasted jacket is designed to give a flattering, comfortable fit

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 & 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:

• 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.