M&S Money Direct offers a variety of financial and insurance products, but Motor Insurance is something that almost everyone needs - at least if you own a car. Unfortunately there are so many companies offering Motor Insurance today that, after a while, one policy may begin to look much like the next.

Thinking that most Motor 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 Motor Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Motor Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M&S Money Direct Motor Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Motor 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 Motor Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Motor Insurance plans from companies such as Direct Line, Sainsburys, or Tescos:

• 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 Motor 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.

Shopping for financial products at M&S Money Direct UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks&Spencer 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 Motor Insurance, M&S Buildings & Contents 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 Spenser, 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.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Money Direct. Not least of these is Mark's & Spencer Standard Motor Insurance. With M&S Money Direct you can keep the cost of your Motor 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 Motor Insurance cover from M&S Money Direct, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Motor Insurance policies on offer from Marks & 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 Motor Insurance from Marks & Spencers Money, you get more, and you pay less.

North Coast Pure Cotton Check Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
Stylishly smart casual, this check shirt is made from pure cotton so it feels soft and comfortable to wear

Autograph Knee Length Ombre Print Belted Skirt, at M&S
Comes with belt shownSmart and modern, this pleated skirt is a stylish, versatile choice. A fabulous fashionable look

Frill Sleeve Round Neck Top, at M&S
Get a sophisticated modern look with this round neck frill sleeve top. Perfect for mixing and matching with skirts or trousers

Cotton Rich Flat Front Corduroy Trousers, at Mark's & Spencer
With a modern, flat front silhouette combining comfort and style, these dapper trousers add versatile appeal to your formal wardrobe, maintaining your smart look throughout the day

Charlotte Lge 2 Seat Sofabed (occasional) AU09 Newness, at Marks and Spencers
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Girls' Night Out Card, at Mark & Spencers
Cover text: Girls night out 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: 230 x 114mm

Signature - NAT C PLUG IN, at Marks & Spenser
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Pure Marble Soap Dish, at Marks & Spencers
Textured finish Rectangle Dipped centre H2 x W10 x 13cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Triple Ridge Hoop Earrings, at Marks & Spencers
Triple ridge detail Butterfly fastening For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

3 Art Deco Photo Frames 5 x 7.5cm (2 x 3''), at M&S
Set of 3 Glass frame Art deco design Aperture: 5 x 7.5cm (2 x 3''), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Deep V-Neck Cover Up Beach Dress, at Marks and Spencers
Modern and stylish, this flattering beach dress is designed in the latest shape. A fabulous fashionable look

Daily Mail Quick & Cryptic Crosswords, at Marks and Spencer
This compilation of the Daily Mail's quick and cryptic crosswords will provide you with hours of fascinating puzzling

Sony DVP-FX720 7'' Portable DVD Player, at Marks & Spencer
Playback: Plays DVDs, CDs and MP3s Display: 7 inch TFT LCD screen Lithium Rechargeable Battery: Fast charging batter with upto 5 hours of life Connectors: USB input, twin headphone jack Accessories: Mains adaptor, car adaptor, remote control Dimensions: H11 x W24 x D30cm Playback: DVD-R/-RW/-R DL/+R/+RW and CD-R/-RW with DivX, DVD-R Dual Layer, DVD+R/+RW and DVD+R Dual Layer

3 Big & Tall Authentic RealCool Cotton™ Keyhole Trunks, at Marks & Spenser
Specially designed to keep you cool and dry, this high performance fabric ensures perspiration is drawn away from the body for rapid evaporation. Soft seams and added stretch create a snug, comfortable fit

Moroccan Style Fruity Couscous Salad, at Marks and Spencers
Serves 8 Ready to eat Suitable for vegetarians 800g As featured on page 29 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Hoppy Birthday Frog Age 3 Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Hoppy birthday! Inside message: Have a great day This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Double Strap Plain Tankini Top, at Marks and Spencers
Gorgeous and glamorous, this tankini is designed to fit and flatter. Fashionable, practical and comfortable

Sprung-Edge Divan on Legs & M400 Mattress - Firm, at Marks and Spencer
Single mattress (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double mattress (4ft 6in): W135 x L190 cm 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: 31cm Mattress filling made from resilient foam and polyester fibre Further filling layers of cotton and lambs wool keeps you warm in summer and cool in winter Two rows of hand side-stitching give the mattress edge-to-edge support. This allows you full use of the sleeping surface Individually pocketed springs Pocket sprung mattresses give a flexible feel Mattress spring count: 1054 Sprung-edge divan 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

Single Breasted 2 Button Plain Jacket, at Marks & Spencer
Boasting a sophisticated cut and quality fabrics at everyday prices, impeccable styling needn't cost the earth, with our impressive Outstanding Value suits range

3 Pairs of Cotton Rich Spot & Stripe Design Socks, at Mark & Spensers
These classic cotton rich socks are soft, breathable and comfortable. Added stretch gives a great fit

Per Una Modal Blend Batik Abstract Print Top, at M&S
A fabulous abstract print top in a soft, comfortable modal blend featuring a 3/4 length sleeve

Sensational at Sixty Card, at Mark & Spensers
Cover text: Sensational at Sixty Inside is blank for your own message 175 x 126mm

Pure Cotton Lined Cargo Trousers with Belt, at MarksandSpencer
Relaxed and comfortable, these pure cotton cargos feature multiple pockets. A practical easycare style

Per Una Bloomsbury Broderie Top, at Mark & Spensers
A casual sleeveless top in pure soft cotton. Broderie details give it the Per Una touch

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button DVD, at Marks and Spencers
Rating Suitable for 12 years and over,

Isis Body Spray, at MarksandSpencer
Scented body spray 100ml This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Plain Long Sleeve Classic Pyjamas, at Marks & Spencer
Soft and comfortable, these classic pyjamas are the perfect choice for a sound night's sleep

The Cotton Collection Cotton Stripe Hand Cream, at M & S
Moisturising hand cream 250ml bottle with pump

Quartz Faux Metallic Wall Clock, at Mark's & Spencer
Round face Standard numerals Faux metallic finish H28 x D28 x W2.2cm Weight: 0.5kg, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Cotton Rich Frill Tights, at MarksandSpencer
Cute and comfy, these soft cotton rich tights feature a pretty frill design at the back

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 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 & Contents Insurance policies. Usually, UK Buildings & Contents 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 & Contents 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 & Contents Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.