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 Financial Services financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks n 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.

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 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 Financial Services Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

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 & Spencer, 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 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.

Rosina Armchair, at Marks and Spenser
H82 x W92 x D97cm Seat H45cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Other cushions filled with polyester fibre. Gives a soft sit with a lived-in look, which will soften and relax even further with use. Fibre is sewn into channels within the interior to prevent settlement in one area of the cushion Fabric options feature reversible cushions Frame made from solid hardwood. All main joints are glued and screwed to give the frame strength Frames are rigorously tested with 95kg weight equivalent and exceed standards set for heavy domestic use Solid birch feet with a medium finish All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence& trade; - a stain resistant finish - at no extra cost. Fabrics are tested for resistance to wear and fading Detailed care instructions are included Free eco-friendly home delivery. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more Free swatch service: Order up to 6 free swatch samples of any fabric to help you choose your upholstery by calling 0845 603 1 603 Please note: Images displayed here act as a guide and may not be representative of the finished item. Fabrics are overlayed onto model images, so actual seams and pattern match may differ from what is shown. Leather furniture, in particular, has more seams that fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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

Flat Front Crease Resistant Fine Stripe Trousers, at Marks & Spencers
Stay smarter for longer with these innovative crease resistant trousers

Cotton Rich Hooded Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
A practical choice for school, this hooded cardigan is made from soft cotton rich fabric with stretch. It's easycare for convenience

Recycled Cool Comfort Waist Slip, at Marks & Spencers
This innovative slip is cling resistant and designed to keep you feeling cool, dry and comfortable. It's made with polyester from recycled plastic waste instead of oil. Using recycled materials helps to conserve the earth's natural resources and protect the environment for future generations

Sicilian Lemon & Ricotta Cheesecake, at Mark's & Spencer
Serves 14 Ready to eat 1.5kg Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers Comes in a box suitable for storing the cake before serving As featured on page 51 of the Food to Order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Glow Bead Stretch Bracelet, at Mark & Spencers
Mixed bead design Stretch style

Classic Collection Assorted Floral Print Mesh Skirt, at Marks and Spenser
Elegant, stylish and comfortable, this mesh skirt features an assorted print. The ideal match for blouses and fine knits in coordinating colours

Tiga Small Glazed Top Unit, at Marks & Spencers
H110 x W116 x D33cm 2 Adjustable internal shelves 2 toughened-glass doors Made from sheesam wood Finished with a protective matt lacquer for added durability Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Why use veneers? Unlike solid timber, veneer does not twist/warp/split to the same degree. Only the finest logs are used in veneer production. It is environmentally sound and traditional - much of the finest cabinetry in the world is veneered Care & Cleaning - Wipe with a soft clean cloth and use a mild furniture cleaner or polish occasionally. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Wool Single Pleat Straight Leg Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
Smart and stylish, these single pleat trousers are made from fine quality pure wool. A practical, hardwearing and fashionable choice

Single Sprung-Edge Divan with 2 Small + 2 Large Drawers & M200 Mattress, at Marks & Spenser
Double Mattress (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size Mattress (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super King Size Mattress (6ft): W180 x L200cm Single Divan (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double Divan (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size Divan (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super King Size Divan (6ft): W180 x L200cm Mattress depth: 24cm Divan Height: 41cm Large Drawer: H14 x W78 x D52cm, Small Drawer: H14 x W40 x D52cm Smaller drawers at the head end are designed to open without moving your bedside table Mattress has a soft pillowtop layer Continuous link mattresses provide a more supportive feel Spring count: 522 Can be used with any mattress All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected Mattress does not require turning All mattresses and Divans are manufactured in the UK A sample mattress is subjected to 3 rigorous tests to ensure it remains comfortable. Surface fabric is rubbed 15,000 times against a hard surface to test resistance to wear. Mattress is pounded by a machine 80,000 times to replicate the movements of a human torso and subjected to 20,000 rolls of a roller machine to simulate the rolling motion of a sleeping person Free eco-friendly home delivery. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Collezione Pure Silk Woven Stripe Tie, at Marks and Spencers
Stylish and luxurious, this pure silk tie is part of Collezione, a sophisticated menswear collection inspired by Italian tailoring

Adored Comfort Pansy Lace Non-Padded Bra, at Marks & Spencers
Soft and pretty, this non-padded bra is made from the softest fabric, embroidery and lace, so it's blissfully comfortable to wear. It's underwired and shaped for an uplifted natural look. Feminine everyday lingerie

Autograph Weekend Tencel® Cropped Trousers with Belt, at Marks and Spencer
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.

3 Pairs of Plain Trainer Liner Socks, at Marks & Spencer
Comfy and practical, these cotton rich socks are designed to hide neatly inside trainers

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Stripe Zip Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
A colourful 3/4 sleeve cardigan featuring stripe design and zip fastening

Footglove™ Wide Fit Leather Square Toe Loafers, at Mark & Spensers
Square toe Stitch detail Slip-on Flat sole Wide fit Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight

Autograph Occasions Feather & Floral Headpiece, at Marks & Spencers
Keep tumbling tresses off your face with this stylish flower and feather headpiece

5 Cotton Rich Animal Print Bikini Knickers, at Marks & Spencers
These animal print cotton rich knickers are perfect for everyday wear. Added stretch gives a comfortable fit and shape retention

Pure Cotton Twill Shorts, at Marks and Spencers
Relaxed and comfortable, these pure cotton shorts make a practical, fashionable choice

Brass Collection Damask Table Lamp, at Marks and Spencer
Brass finish Damask shade 30.5 x 30.5 x 70cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Shell Scarf Jumble Necklace, at Mark & Spencers
Faux shell beads Long length Multi strand design Button loop fastening Length: 62cm

M&S USB Cable, at Marks and Spencers
1.8 metre cable M&S is a member of the WEEE Distributor Take Back Scheme. Recycling your electronic waste has never been easier! Click here for more information This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Per Una Rainbow Stripe Bikini Bottoms, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable stripe bikini bottoms featuring a side tie

Pure Cotton Reversible Print Hooded Top, at Marks & Spensers
Long sleeves and a hood make this practical top warm, cosy and snuggly. It's made from soft comfy cotton and features a reversible option

Classic Non-Wired Jacquard Bra, at Marks and Spencer
Non-wired to provide you with a more natural silhouette. This great bra offers superior support thanks to adjustable straps and added stretch, while the easycare design guarantees convenient comfort

Gold Plated Sparkle Floral Ring, at Marks and Spencer
Gold plated Cluster design

Crew Neck Jumper, at Marks & Spenser
Modern and stylish, this jumper features a round neck. A versatile, easywear style

Halenka Lace Bikinis, at Marks & Spencers
A great style for making your legs look longer, these lace bikinis are designed with a flattering high cut.

Domaine Bastides d'Eole 2007 - Case of 6, at Mark's & Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Grenache, Syrah Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians 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

M&S Financial Services 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 Financial Services 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 Marks and 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, Sainsbury's, 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 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 Financial Services UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.