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

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

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 and Spencer, through its M&S Finance 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.

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 & Spencer are so useful. M&S Finance 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 Finance 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 Finance Buildings Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Pocket Sprung Nursery Mattress, at Marks and Spencer
L140 x W70 x D15cm Spring count: 264 Pocket sprung for excellent support Cot bed not included Hygienic, moisture-resistant covering Suitable for the feet-to-foot sleeping position recommended by health professionals Fully conformed to current safety standards We recommend you ensure it is the correct size for the cot and that any gaps at the sides and ends are less than 3cm Delivered boxed to your door. No assembly required but you will need to unpack and position the item yourself This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Swirl Champagne Flute, at M & S
Swirl design Wide base Coloured glass Handmade Height: 27.5 cm Capacity: 17 cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Ramie Short Sleeve Tunic Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
Feminine and elegant, this sophisticated shirt is beautifully designed and cut for a flattering shape and features a stunning pintuck detail

Autograph Pure Cashmere Slash Neck Jumper, at Mark & Spencers
Sophisticated and modern, this slash neck jumper is made from pure cashmere for the ultimate in luxurious softness

Harvard Talc, at Marks and Spencers
200g

Portfolio Drawstring Wide Leg Joggers, at Marks and Spencer
With added stretch for essential ease of movement, these comfy and practical drawstring joggers are great for active workouts or relaxing in style

The Mr Men Show - Mr. Bump Presents: Trains, Planes and Dillymobiles! DVD, at Marks and Spencer
Rating Universal, suitable for all,

Sapporo Desk, at Marks and Spencer
H180 x W80 x D50cm Made from solid bamboo and bamboo veneer Finished with a matt lacquer that provides the pieces with extra protection and durability Delivered flatpack due to size 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

Portfolio Ponte Kickflare Trousers, at Marks & Spensers
Part of Portfolio's Parisienne trend. Feel bold and chic in this feminine look inspired by Parisian style. With a striking colour palette of cream, ruby, black and dove grey, this is a style-conscious trend for the new season.

Collezione Long Sleeve Stripe Shirt with Linen, at Marks and Spencer
Italian style is renowned for its attention to detail. Each collezione piece is designed with that same passion, using the finest fabrics and best tailoring techniques. Inspired by Italian flair, we've lavished time and care on this shirt to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

Centre Stripe Belt, at Marks & Spencer
This centre stripe design belt is ideal for wearing with casual styles

Per Una Roma Self Stripe Bootleg Trousers, at Marks & Spencer
A smart pair of bootleg trousers featuring self stripe design

Wool Blend Flat Front Fine Stripe Trousers, at Marks & Spencers
Smart and stylish, these trousers are made from a hardwearing wool blend with added stretch. An ideal choice for work or everyday wear

Fuji FinePix Z30 Digital Camera, at Marks & Spenser
Pixels: 10.0 megapixels Zoom: 3x optical zoom, 5.7x digital zoom Screen: 3.0" TFT LCD Display ISO: Auto / Equivalent to ISO 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 (Standard Output Sensitivity) Dimensions: W9.2 x H5.79 x D2.26cm (excluding accessories and attachments) Weight: Approx. 116.5g (excluding accessories, battery and memory card) Face Detection: Face Detection technology with automatic red-eye removal Movie recording: 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames/sec. With monaural sound Power source: Rechargeable NP-45 Li-ion battery (included) Self-timer: Approx. 10sec. / 2sec. delay

Moulded Underwired Lightweight Bra, at Marks & Spensers
Sleek and modern, this bra is so light and comfortable you will hardly know you're wearing it. Smooth moulded cups give no visible outlines under clothing. Designed for a streamlined silhouette

New 120GB Apple iPod classic, at Marks & Spencer
Up to 30,000 songs, 150 hours of video, 25,000 photos, or any combination Rent a movie from iTunes and watch it on the go Sleek, anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel enclosure Genius feature finds the songs in your library that go great together and makes a Genius playlist for you Cover Flow - turn it on its side to flip through album art 2.5-inch (diagonal) color LCD display with LED backlight. 320-by-240-pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery capable of up to 36 hours of audio playback and up to 6 hours of video playback Dimensions: H10.4 x W6.2 x D1cm approx Weight: 140g In the box: iPod classic, Earphones, USB 2.0 cable, Dock adapter, Quick Start guide For Mac and Windows. Requires Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional or Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later TM and 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved 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

Blue Harbour Funnel Neck Fleece Jacket, at Marks & Spenser
Relaxed and cosy, this long sleeve fleece jacket makes a warm and comfortable extra layer

Pure Cotton Checked Crop Pyjama Bottoms, at Marks & Spencers
Pretty and feminine, these cropped pyjama bottoms are made from soft breathable cotton for a comfortable night's sleep

Pure Cotton Mix Print Camisole, at Marks & Spencers
Chic and modern, this mix print camisole is made from cool comfortable cotton and features a crochet bib

Triple Bead Drop Earrings, at Marks and Spencer
Hook fastening Drop style Triple bead design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Artemis Lightweight Soft Large Rollercase, at Marks & Spenser
A smart option for travel, the wheeled design and retractable pull handle offer easy mobility no matter where you are in the world. A zip fastening helps keep your belongings secure

Photographic Toy Cat Daughter Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Happy birthday to a special daughter Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150 mm

Limited Collection Cotton Rich Skinny Jeans, at Marks & Spenser
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel

Yellow Star Well Done Seed Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover Text: Well done Inside Message: Blank for your own message Approx Size: 174 mm x 126 mm

Formula Calming Foaming Facial Wash, at Marks & Spensers
With chamomile and aloe vera Especially formulated for sensitive skins Suitable for all skin types Gently cleanses without any harsh additives Fragrance free Hypoallergenic 150 ml

Pure Wool Flat Front Straight Cut Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
Cut closer for a sharper silhouette, these straight cut trousers are designed in a contemporary style. The trend-conscious cut gives a longer, leaner appearance and a flattering fit

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS6 Digital Camera, at Marks and Spencers
Pixels: 8.1 megapixels Optical zoom: 4x Digital zoom: 4x Display: 2.5 inch TFT colour LCD Screen ISO Sensitivity: Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 High Sensitivity (ISO 1600-6400) Dimensions: W9.7 x H5.4 x D2.1cm Weight: Approx. 137g with Battery and SD Memory Card, Approx. 115g (without) Power: ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack (3.6V, 940mAh) (Included) / AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Optional) Built-in-Flash: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off 0.3 - 6.3m (Wide/ISO Auto), 0.5 - 3.0m (Tele/ISO Auto) Recording Media: Built-in Memory (approx 50mb), SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard (Still image only)

Autograph DD-G 2-Tone Embroidered Bra, at Marks and Spencers
Luxurious and elegant this bra features two tone embroidery. Stretch fabric and underwiring give a great fit and flattering uplifted shape. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

4 Windsor Tall Tumblers, at Marks & Spencer
Set of 4 Dishwasher safe 38cl H15cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Silk Rich Long Sleeve Cardigan, at Marks & Spencers
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in smart styles and high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look.

M&S Finance 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 Finance Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.