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 & Spenser are so useful. M&S Money Direct financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & 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, Buildings Insurance policies. Usually, UK Buildings 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 Money Direct Buildings 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 Money Direct Buildings 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 Money Direct. Not least of these is M & S Standard Car Insurance. With M&S Money Direct you can keep the cost of your Car 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 Car Insurance cover from M&S Money Direct, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from Mark & Spensers, 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 Car Insurance from M&S Money Direct, you get more, and you pay less.

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 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 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.

Autograph Precision Tweezers with Pouch, at Marks and Spencers
Contains 1 pair of tweezers Comes in an attractive pouch Presented in a box

Cotton Rich Embroidered Hem Tie Jacket with Silk, at Marks n Spencer
Elegant and feminine, this tailored cotton rich jacket features a pretty embroidered hem and tie fastening. A smart and stylish choice

Tortoise Shawl, at Marks & Spencer
Perfect for snuggling up to at bedtime or wrapping up in during the day, this soft shawl will give your baby a little extra warmth

Per Una Longline Animal Print Top, at Marks & Spencer
A gorgeous animal print top featuring ruched neck and sleeve, lace detail makes it extra stylish

Pure Cotton Reversible Hooded Jacket, at Marks n Spencer
He'll have two looks in one with this practical reversible hooded jacket. It's made from soft comfortable cotton

Maternity Cat Print Top, at Marks & Spensers
Glamorous and gorgeous, this cat print top is designed to flatter you and your bump. A waist tie gives a neat, comfortable fit with room for growth. A fashionable, functional choice

M&S 15'' LCD TV with Built-in DVD Player - Blue, at Marks and Spencer
Display: 15 inch flatscreen, 1280 x 800 pixels Contrast Ratio: 400:1 Integrated Digital Tuner: Gives you access to all Freeview™ terrestrial digital TV channels and all digital radio stations (subject to coverage in your area) Dimensions: H34.5 x W38 x D17.5cm Sound: Nicam stereo Connectors 1 x HDMI input, 1 x Scart socket DVD Player: Built-in Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 Use wall mount T042100 to perfectly mount this TV

Charlotte 2 Seater Sofa AU09 Newness, at Marks & Spencers
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Fluffy Cat Age 2 Birthday Card, at Marks&Spencer
Cover text: Happy Birthday 2 Inside message: Have a great day x This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 175 x 127 mm

Extra High Impact Underwired Sports Bra, at Mark & Spensers
Offering the superior support and control you need for those high energy workouts. This extra high impact sports bra sets the pace for essential comfort thanks to an easycare fabric and the shape retaining qualities of added stretch

Autograph Metallic Wash Wallpaper, at Marks and Spencer
Textured wallpaper No pattern repeat Paste-the-wall wallpaper - Printed on special non-woven paper, when hanging this wallpaper the paste is applied directly to the wall. Easier to handle when dry and no need for a pasting table Suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and hallways Not suitable for bathrooms or kitchens Roll dimensions: W52cm x L10m Made in the UK and sourced from sustainable, renewable forests How many rolls do you need?Click here for our wallpaper calculator Complete your room with made to order curtains. Click here to view our range For a detailed view of the colour and pattern, please click on the image and use the zoom function. Please note that your monitor settings may affect how colours are displayed, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

10 Party Time Drinks Invitations, at Marks&Spencer
Cover text: Party time! Inside message: Dear... You are invited to a party on.. time.. place.. Hope you can come.. RSVP.. This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 120 x 120mm

Ceramic Canoe Potpourri Bowl, at Marks&Spencer
Ceramic bowl Canoe shape H9 x L33cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Piped Bow Leather Gloves, at Mark & Spencers
These fashionable and elegant leather gloves are finished with piped bow and are warmly lined. Perfect for keeping out the cold without compromising on style

Extra Large Pillar Candle, at Marks&Spencer
Plain Pillar shape H22 x Diam 8cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Woodspice Roll On Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, at Mark & Spensers
Woodspice aroma Anti-perspirant 50ml

2 Older Girls' Plain Crop Tops, at Marks&Spencer
Cute and comfortable, these comfy crop tops make a great way of getting girls used to the idea of wearing bras

5 Lace Thongs, at Marks & Spenser
These comfy thongs merge a lace design with the shape retaining benefits of added stretch for a lasting and wonderfully flattering fit. Ideal for wearing under a host of skirt, dress and trouser styles

Cake Cooling Rack, at Marks and Spencers
Square rack design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Animal Choker Necklace, at Marks and Spencer
Square chunky beads Animal print design Choker style Neclace length 41cm, extendable by 8cm

Hamilton Large 2 Seater Sofa, at Marks and Spencers
H95 x W220 x D99cm Seat H49cm, arm H66cm, top back rail H73cm Seat cushions made from Quallofil Extralife filling. Click here for more information on Quallofil Extralife Cushions are reversible on fabric upholstery options Solid birch feet Free swatch samples: Order up to 6 free swatch samples of any fabric to help you choose your upholstery by calling 0845 603 1 603 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Stem Trail Towel, at M & S
Stem leaf design Comes in 3 sizes Hand Bath sheet X large bath towel, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Wall Art Wire Tree, at Marks & Spencer
Handcrafted Made of mild steel wire Approx size: 76 x 1 x 53cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Bootleg Jersey Trousers, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionable and fabulous, bootcuts flatter curves and make legs look longer. This pair sits on the waist and is designed to give a shapely feminine silhouette. Added stretch gives the perfect fit

Small Value Soft Leaf Print Rollercase, at M & S
Capable of expanding to provide an extra 20% of luggage space, a tough, hardwearing fabric and fitted padlock for extra security helps ensure your peace of mind while on the move

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Marks & Spensers
This fab long sleeve shirt features a stunning tucked front and stripe design. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season

Ethnic Square Glass Bead Necklace, at M+S
Collar style Square glass beads

Twin Stitch Medium Purse, at Marks and Spenser
Practical and stylish, this purse features compartments for your cash and cards and a secure popper fastening, making it an ideal choice for everyday use

2 Silicone and Wood spatulas, at Marks and Spencers
These essential spatulas can be used for a multitude of culinary tasks. Incredibly practical the wooden handles ensure safe heat insulation

Double-Sided Round Cosmetic Mirror, at M & S
Freestanding Round design Double-sided Ideal for shaving, precision tweezing or make-up application H21 x Diam 20cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Shopping for financial products at M&S Money Direct UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks & Spencers online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the M&S Money Direct website:

• M&S Insurance: M&S Car Insurance, M&S Buildings Insurance, M&S Life Insurance, M&S Wedding Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance
• M&S Credit Cards: M&S Credit Card, M&S Premium Club Card
• M&S Loans: M&S Car Buying Plan, M&S Personal Loans
• M&S Money: M&S Travel Money for your trips abroad
• M&S Savings: M&S Everyday Savings Account, M&S Fixed Rate Savings, M&S Stocks & Shares ISA, M&S Cash ISA, M&S Unit Trust

Of course, many of these types of product can be purchased elsewhere too; however, once you begin to take a closer look at the products from Marks and Spencers, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

And, just as importantly, contacting M&S Money Direct in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the M&S Money Direct website.