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

M&S Money 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 Motor 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; Motor 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 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 Marks n 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 Mark's & Spencer, through its M&S Money 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 Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Friuli Grave Pinot Grigio 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Dry, medium bodied Grape variety: Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris) Country of origin: Italy Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 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

Sterling Silver Inset Shall Earrings, at Marks and Spencer
Hook fastening Drop design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Extra Large August Bouquet, at Marks & Spenser
Historically a symbol of love, this assortment of larkspur in shades of lilac, cream and pink also contains deep purple lisianthus, sandriana and delicately pretty roses. Includes 100% more blooms than the standard August bouquet Available for delivery from 1st to 29th August 2009

Pure Silk Piped Cushion With Recycled Filling, at MarksandSpencer
Square shape Plain L50 x W50cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

XBOX 360® Virtua Tennis™ 3 Game, at Marks and Spenser
Communicate with the top seeds and arrange training games or exhibition matches in the all new career mode Online tournaments and modes let you take challenges from across the world 20 of the world's best tennis stars including Rafeal Nadal, Andy Roddick, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova & Martina Hingis Photo realistic graphics New World Tour mode Multi Set Tennis for the first time in VT Court Games - new mini games for 1 - 4 players 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, Platforms: Xbox 360, ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults

Top Secret Book of Girl Stuff, at Marks and Spencer
Bursting with things to do, draw and fill in and with 40 cool stickers. Me Me Me! is a book for your eyes only. Make notes about your friends, your family and your favourite things. Learn about dreams, parties and star signs. Draw self-portraits, funky fashion designs and room makeovers..... and much, much more!

Autograph Flat Front Black Stripe Trousers, at M & S
Our Autograph suits are made from finer fabrics with superior attention to detail, giving you the ultimate in sharp, sophisticated style

Bamboo Soap Dispenser, at Marks and Spencers
Approx size: H7 x W7 x L16cm Pump action Bamboo design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Brushed Metal Round Wall Clock, at Mark & Spencers
Roman numerals Contrasting circular design Brushed metal finish Quartz accuracy A quartz clock keeps time by the vibrations of a quartz crystal. It is judged to be the most accurate timepiece now on the market, losing or gaining only a minute a year, compared with one or two minutes a week for most other watches Contemporary styling, spun aluminium dial Glass & metal case Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 2.5cm Weight: 1.40kg Round face, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Low Rise Crochet Detail Shorts, at Marks and Spencers
Low rise shorts are perfect for wearing with hipster styles and these stylish crochet detail shorts are shapely and modern. Added stretch gives a comfortable, flattering fit

Cotton Blend Rolled Sleeve Boyfriend Cardigan, at Marks & Spencer
This casual v-neck cotton blend longline cardigan makes the perfect light extra layer. It features pintuck front pockets for an extra stylish touch

Cookie Mummy Birthday Card, at Marks & Spenser
Cover text: To my Yummy Mummy Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Fluffy Dog Age 2 Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencers
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 127mm

PlayStation®3 Heavenly Sword™ Game, at Marks n Spencer
Suitable for ages 15+ Released September 2007 2007 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe 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 *Must be returned with the tamper seal intact for full refund, ESRB Rating: Teen

Lichfield Extending Dining Table & 6 Alton Antiqued-Leather Chairs Set, at Mark's & Spencer
Dining table:H75 x W95.5 x L145cm (H29.3 x W37.2 x L56.6in ) Extends to seat 8 using the spare central leaf stored beneath the table top Chair:H99 x W46 x D56cm, Seat: H48cm Chairs crafted from solid European oak with antique leather Table made from White Oak solids and veneers Finished with 3 coats of durable, clear lacquer of mid sheen Top panel is veneered with solid oak edging for strength All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings 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 manufacturer's instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Older Girls' Heart Print Tankini, at Mark's & Spencer
Fun and fabulous, this comfortable tankini is sure to make a splash!

Younger Boys' Pure Cotton Assorted Slips, at M & S
An outstanding value 5 pack of Slips in natural breathable cotton

Fun Photographic 50th Birthday Card, at Mark & Spencers
Approx. size: 215 x 150mm Cover text: 50 Like a posh wine, you've grown more mellow with all the years. Or is it grown more mellow with all the posh wine? Inside message: Happy 50th birthday

Petite Cotton Rich Long Sleeve Shirt, at M&S
Smart and stylish, this long sleeve shirt is made from stretch cotton for a flattering and fashionable fit. Specially designed and perfectly proportioned for the petite frame

M&S Combination DAB Digital Radio, at Marks and Spencer
Access over 8000 radio stations worldwide built-in WiFi 24 station presets (8 DAB / 8 FM / 8 internet) Podcast and listen again service compatible with media streaming of MP3/WMA & real audio file Alarm functionality, snooze button, headphone port, automatic scanning, firmware upgradeable and mains operated Stereo digital radio with 802.11b/g WiFi network, full Band III DAB and FM reception Frequency ranges: 802.11b/g, Band III 174-240 MHz, FM 87.5-108 MHz WiFi (802.11b/g) security: WEP, TKIP, WPA, WPA2 WiFi audio files format support: MP3, WMA, Real Audio Speakers: full-range 3" drive unit Input connectors: 9V DC power adaptor socket (230V supplied) Output connectors: 3.5mm headphone, 3.5mm line out (analogue) LCD display: 2X16 character Type LCD display Mains power supply: 230V AC to 9V DC external power adaptor Aerial: captive telescopic aerial Dimensions (mm): 115mm high x 275mm wide x 65mm deep 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

Fairtrade Curico Valley Shiraz 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spenser
Style: Medium bodied Grape variety: Shiraz Country of origin: Chile Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 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

Little Acorns Christening Invites - Pack of Ten, at Marks and Spenser
Cover text: Christening Inside message: Would like to invite.....to the christening of.....on.....at.....time.....RSVP..... 10 cards, 1 design Approx size: 120 x 120 mm

Waxed Broad Brim Summer Hat, at Marks and Spencer
Express your stylish side with this wide brim hat

2 Pairs of Fishnet Tights, at Marks and Spenser
Add some stylish flair to that chic skirt or dress and shape, lift and define your figure with this great value 2 pack of fishnet tights. A reinforced toe, comfortable sole and added stretch provide long lasting comfort and durability.

Handcrafted Westies Valentine Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover Text: I Love You... Inside mesage: Be my Valentine This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 230 x 114mm

Furry Mane Lion Birthday Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: It's your birthday! Hope it's "gr-r-r-reat!" 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: 175 x 127mm

Diagonal Cut Cufflinks, at M+S
Add a smart finishing touch with these diagonal cut cufflinks

Pure Linen 3/4 Length Pintuck Front Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
For casual elegance, you can't beat this pintuck feature top. A great value linen essential

Dinosaur Sticker Book, at Marks & Spencers
Dinosaur sticker book is packed with facts about the first fish, meat-eating monsters, woolly mammoths, early humans and much, much more. With sticker activities throughout and glow-in-the-dark dinosaur shapes to decorate your room, this book is the perfect way to learn about the creatures who lived on earth millions of years ago

Autograph High Heel Stud Gladiator Sandals, at M&S
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 Open toe Stud strap detail Buckle fastening High heel Heel height: 9cm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Besides Marks & Spenser Motor Insurance, M&S Money Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Money Buildings 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 Money 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 and Spenser purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Money Premier Buildings Insurance and Standard Buildings 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.