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

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 and 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 & Spencers, through its Marks & Spencer 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.

Marks & Spencer 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, Marks & Spencer Money Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

Ring Trim Bottoms, at Marks & Spencer
Feminine and fashionable, these flattering tankini bottoms are designed in the latest shape. A sleek, shapely look

5 Floral Embroidered Bikini Knickers, at Mark & Spencers
These floral embroidered cotton rich bikinis are perfect for everyday wear. Added stretch gives a comfortable fit and shape retention

Autograph Pleated Underwired Balcony Bra, at Mark & Spensers
Glamorous and sophisticated this balcony bra features a delicate embroidered design. Stretch fabric and underwiring give a great fit and flattering uplifted shape. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

Longline Bra, at Mark's & Spencer
A traditional long line bra which offers more support. Ideal worn with control panties or panty girdles

Multi-Storage Bag Set, at Marks & Spencer
Clear plastic Pack of 3 Double handle Zip fastening

Autograph Long Sleeve Sequin Panel Top, 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

Collezione Leather Hip wallet, at Marks and Spencer
Smart, stylish and practical, this leather hip wallet makes it easy to organise cards, notes and coins

Per Una Cut Out Butterfly Shoes, at Mark & Spencers
Peep toe Cut out butterfly design Bow feature Slip on Low heel Available in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Pure Cotton Drawstring Joggers, at Marks and Spencer
Soft and practical, these loose fit drawstring joggers are outstanding value. This easycare style is ideal for active games or relaxing in comfort

Per Una Leather Three Button Pumps, at Marks and Spencer
Round toe Button detail Slip on Flat sole Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Check Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Relaxed casual style for less! This pure cotton shirt is outstanding value

Compact Spot Print Umbrella, at M&S
This lightweight and compact collapsible umbrella fits easily into your handbag or briefcase so you'll never be left out in the rain again

Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo 2GB, at Marks & Spencer
Optimum for storing, sharing and transferring thousands of high quality pictures, videos and music Memory: Flash Memory Storage Capacity: 2GB Dimensions: 20 x 31 x 1.6mm Weight: 2g Operating Voltage: 2.7 V - 3.6 V Environmental temperature: -25C to 85C Minimum write speed: 15 Mbps(1875MB/sec) Free to Download, the Memory Stick Data Rescue Service enables quick recovery of deleted photographs and files(www.sonydigital-link.com/memstick/) Warranty: 5 years Delivered with a standard size adaptor Ideal for high resolution video recording Compatible with copyright protection technology ("MagicGate")

Fox Hollow Single Vineyard Semillon 2005 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spenser
Style: Dry Grape variety: Semillon Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 11.5% vol Alcohol units per bottle 8.6 Alcohol units per 125ml 1.4 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Long Sleeve Padded Stormwear™ Jacket, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionable and practical, this cosy jacket is warmly padded and lined with fleece. It's treated with our unique Stormwear™ technology which repels water and stains. Storm cuffs help keep arms warm and hold on gloves

Hand Crafted Stitched Guitar Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: Happy birthday Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 178 x 126mm

Autograph Essentials Vintage Rose Embroidered E-G Bra, at Marks & Spencers
Elegant and feminine this rose design bra features bow detail. It's underwired and structured to give fuller busts great support and a flattering enhanced shape. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

Heritage Collection - Mini Table Lamp, at Marks & Spencer
Conical shade Bulbous stem with cut glass feature Round base 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Essentials Pure Silk Animal Print Shift Dress, at M & S
Feminine and elegant, this shift dress is beautifully designed and detailed with animal print. An exclusive, luxurious look from Autograph

15 Denier Medium Support Stockings, at Marks and Spencer
These medium support stockings are clinically proven to improve circulation and reduce ankle swelling. They'll keep your legs feeling healthier and energised

Contemporary Text 60th Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Approx. size: 215 x 150mm Cover text: 60 years young! Inside message: Happy birthday

Photographic Jug of Flowers Nan Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: Nan Happy Birthday Inside message: Have a lovely birthday Approx size: Unfolded: 178 x 126mm

Per Una Pure Cotton Floral Kimono, at Marks & Spencers
Modern and feminine, this pretty kimono is made from soft cotton so you can relax in comfort and style. Part of Per Una's sleepwear collection

Instant Shoe Shine, at Marks and Spencer
Convenient, quick and easy, this handy shoe shine works on any colour to give a polished look in an instant

Collezione Pure Cotton Satin Stripe Long Sleeve Shirt, at Mark & Spensers
Luxurious Italian cotton provides the base for this stunning satin stripe long sleeve shirt. The classic double button cuff and smart single breast pocket add further elegance to this meticulously designed summer choice

Sphere Digital Alarm Clock, at Mark & Spencers
Digital display Side buttons Cutaway ball design Dimensions: 9cm x 9cm x 9cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph™ Friendship Gift Bag, at Mark & Spencers
This luxurious display of 10 sumptuous friendship roses is beautifully enhanced by leucadendron and hypericum berries. Set in a stylish black gift bag, it's a truly striking gift Available for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

Ultimate Fishnet Hold-Ups, at Marks & Spensers
The ultimate in stylish design, these fishnet hold ups have added stretch so they'll always stay in shape. They're finished with a reinforced sole and toe section so toes won't get caught in the netting

Per Una Check Print Padded Balcony Bra, at Marks and Spenser
Modern and elegant, this stylish bra features a check print and is finished with lace trim. The padded balcony style gives maximum uplift and a fuller shape. Pretty everyday fashion

Disney Pixar Cars Wrap Pack, at Marks and Spencer
Pack contains: 2 sheets, 2 tags Approx size: Each sheet: 495 x 695, Tags: 80 x 55mm (folded) Disney / Pixar

When you're shopping at Marks and Spencers 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 Marks & Spencer Money. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks & Spencers than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from Marks & Spencer Money. 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 Marks & Spencer Money, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the Marks & Spencer Money 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."