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 Mark & 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, 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 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.

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 Property 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 Property 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.

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 and Spencer are so useful. M&S Money Direct financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks and Spenser 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 Money Direct 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 Money Direct Property Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

°Climate Control Short Sleeve Crew Neck Thermal Vest, at Marks n Spencer
Climate control keeps you cool when you're hot and warms you up when you're cold so you're always at your optimum temperature. Exclusive to M&S, Climate control clothing is comfortable and breathable - ideal for sportswear. The Outlast technology behind this innovative fabric was originally developed for astronauts and is recognised by NASA as Certified Space Technology.

Pure Silk Tie with Stain Defence™, at Marks & Spencers
This silk tie has been treated with our stain defence™ technology giving inbuilt resistance to everyday spills, this repellence benefit is maintained after dry cleaning.

Leather Stitch Detail Square Roller Buckle Belt, at Marks & Spencer
This leather roller buckle belt is ideal for wearing with casual styles

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Crew Neck T-shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and relaxed, this crew neck t-shirt is made from pure cotton so it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Lightweight Animal Print Sequin Scarf, at Marks and Spencers
Add a fashionable finishing touch to your look with this elegant metallised animal print scarf. The perfect accessory to this season's styles

Little Red Riding Hood, at Marks and Spencers
Little Red Riding Hood is the classic fairytale, re-written especially for first readers. A charming storybook that will be a big hit with your little first time readers

1 Litre Clear Glass Mixing Bowl, at M+S
1 litre capacity Classic design Clear, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Pure Cotton Double Breasted Corduroy Jacket, at Marks & Spencer
A smart double breasted jacket in pure soft cotton, featuring long sleeves and side pockets

2 Pairs of Tatty Teddy Socks, at Marks and Spencer
A must for fans of Tatty Teddy this 2 pair pack of socks features assorted designs

Limited Collection Check Pencil Skirt, at Marks & Spencers
Sleek and chic, this check design pencil skirt is tailored to fit and flatter. A stylish choice for work or smart occasions and it's machine washable for added convenience

Château la Providence 2000 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Merlot Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians 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

Fairtrade Pure Cotton Scoop Neck Top, at Marks & Spenser
This stylish short sleeve top is a good deal for you and for our Fairtrade farmers. It's made from 100% Fairtrade cotton, helping local farmers to invest in developing their own communities

3 Cool & Fresh Cotton Rich Assorted Trunks, at Marks and Spencer
Made from soft breathable cotton, these comfy trunks are ideal for everyday wear.

Per Una Long Sleeve Tartan Cardigan, at Marks & Spenser
A sophisticated long sleeve cardigan in textured fabric featuring a check design and front round edge

Airflex™ Leather Loafer Shoes, at Mark's & 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

Pure Wool Spot Rug, at Marks and Spencer
Rectangular Spot design Small: L80 x W140cm Medium: L120 x W180cm Large: L160 x W230cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Wavy Die Cut New Job Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: New Job ... Hurray! ... Well done! ... Yipee! ... You star! ... Congratulations! Inside message: Congratulations! Approx size: Unfolded: 150 x 150mm

Autograph Leather Overnight Bag, at Marks and Spencer
Luxurious and beautiful, this overnight bag is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. It's made from soft hardwearing leather, and is useful and practical as well as being a highly desirable fashion accessory

Plaza Pencil Pleat Curtains, at Marks and Spencer
Pencil pleat Lined Comes in three drop lengths: short (137cm/54''), medium (183cm/72''), long (229cm/90'') Comes in standard 168cm/66in (STD) and wider 219cm/86in (WDR) widths How to measure for window dressings: Click here for a guide to measuring for curtains, pelmets and roman blinds., Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Weekend Pure Cotton Slub Top, at M & S
Part of Autograph Weekend's Sloane trend. Casual yet sophisticated, this is weekend dressing at its most stylish. Featuring a cool colour palette of crisp navy, neutrals and red, this is an effortlessly chic look for the new season

Cookies Book, at Marks & Spencer
Everybody loves chocolate chip cookies but how about creating a whole range of cookies and biscuits with great new combinations of tastes and textures: almond and plum crescents, iced marshmallow butterflies or some snickerdoodles! Here are over 50 fantastic ideas that will have you rushing for your baking tray immediately

Pink and Sage Floral Duo Multipack of Cards, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: Blank Inside message: blank for your own message Pack contains: 8 cards, 2 designs Approx size: 138 x 138mm

Classic Duckling Baby Flip Photograph Album, at Marks & Spencers
Contains: 1 photo album Album: H152 x W175 x D40mm Photo sleeves: 120 x 160mm (for 4.5 in x 6 in photos)

Autograph Retro Hipsters, at Marks & Spencer
Sitting slightly lower on the waist and providing a snug fit, these comfortable hipsters are a great way to stock up your day to day underwear drawer

Petite Short Sleeve Snake Print Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Chic and modern, this short sleeve shirt features a stunning snake print. A vibrant new look, perfect for this season. Specially designed and perfectly proportioned for the petite frame

Autograph Pure Cotton Jeans with Plaited Belt, at M & S
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

Autograph Cosmetox Anti-Ageing Foundation, at Marks & Spencer
Anti-ageing Medium coverage Hypoallergenic SPF 15 30ml

Short Sleeve Deep V-Neck Stripe Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and flattering, this cardigan features two front pockets. Stylish, practical and fashionable

Stripe Zip-Up Fleece Jacket, at Marks & Spencers
An essential part of any wardrobe, this great value zip-up fleece is warm and cosy. A fashionable and practical choice

Single Breasted Mid Length Jacket, at Marks and Spenser
Smart and stylish, this wool blend jacket makes a fashionable and practical choice

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 & Spencer 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 & Spensers, 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 Property Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.