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 & Spensers are so useful. M&S Money 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, 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 Money 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 Money Property Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Besides Marks & Spensers Car Insurance, M&S Money Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Money Property 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 Spencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

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

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 & Spenser 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 Spenser, 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 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.

Linen Blend Short Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Chic and modern, this short sleeve shirt is made from a cool crisp linen blend and features stripe design

3 Big & Tall Authentic Pure Cotton Boxers, at Marks & Spenser
Made from soft breathable cotton, these comfy boxers are ideal for everyday wear

Easy Iron Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Gingham Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
Stylish and innovative, this gingham easycare shirt is quick and easy to iron for a smart crisp look

Ultimate Stormwear™ Pure New Wool Flat Front Trousers, at Marks n Spencer
A sharp cut, stretch wool fabric and water repellent Stormwear™ finish makes them ideal for wearing in the office or on the move

Zamora Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc Country of origin: USA Closure: Screw cap 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

Florentyna Shower Crème, at Marks & Spenser
Florentyna shower crme with moisturisers For use in bath or shower 200ml

Active Performance Cropped Leggings, at Marks & Spencer
Perfect for active wear, these Performance leggings incorporate moisture management technology. The high-performance fabric draws moisture away from the skin to the surface, keeping you drier. Designed for a great fit and essential ease of movement

Pure Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Scoop Neck Top, at Marks and Spencers
Chic and modern, this 3/4 sleeve top is made from cool comfortable cotton and features a scoop neck

Pearl Clam Vanity Purse, at Marks and Spenser
Pearl Calm design Bead puller Two inner zip sections Detachable mirror

Stainless Steel Mini Whisk, at Marks and Spencers
Plain Loop handle for hanging Stainless steel design This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Plain Braces, at Marks and Spencer
Add a smart finishing touch with these stylish adjustable braces

Silver Plated Ridge Detail Photo Frame 10 x 15cm (4 x 6''), at Marks & Spencer
Rectangular shape Ridge detail Aperture 10 x 15cm (4 x 6''), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Portfolio Pure Linen Straight Leg Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Portfolio's Shades of Paradise trend, featuring the earthy tones of nature combined with rich, tropical highlights. Elegant and feminine styling makes this a chic summer look

Limited Collection Single Breasted Ruched Sleeve Blazer, at Marks & Spenser
Chic and stylish, this ruched sleeve blazer is tailored to fit and flatter. A great choice for work or smart occasions and it's machine washable for added convenience

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Cardigan, at Mark & Spencers
Soft and comfy, this lightweight knitted pure cotton cardigan is outstanding value. A fashionable easycare style

Girlie Dress Up Colouring Pad, at Marks&Spencer
Contains: 1 colouring pad and 24 coloured felt tips Approx size: 447 x 357mm

Per Una Stripe Bolero with Vest, at Mark & Spencers
A fashionable 3/4 length sleeve bolero with stripe design. It comes with a matching plain vest

Lightweight Embroidered Flower Scarf, at Marks and Spencer
This sophisticated embroidered flower scarf is the perfect accessory to this season's fashions. The tassel details add a stylish finishing touch

Gone Fishing Keyring, at Marks and Spenser
You'll never lose your keys again with this eye-catching keyring and it's cricket design

Classic Collection Stripe Straight Leg Trousers, at M & S
Smart and stylish, these straight leg trousers are designed for a flattering, comfortable fit and a polished look. They make the perfect match for fashionable jackets, blouses and knitwear.

Autograph Pure Silk Leaves Tie, at M & S
Fashionable and contemporary, this pure silk tie is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Designer style and luxury at high street prices

DeLonghi Perfecta Easytronic ESAM5400 Coffee Machine, at Marks & Spensers
High performance 15 bar pump pressure Traditional cappuccino milk frother Ultimate bean-to-cup quality with only one touch to create perfect espresso Easytronic digital control panel: stylish ipod-style design with sleek illuminated icon display and rotating control dial Perfecta can be used with either fresh coffee or ground coffee Removable water tank (1.7 litres) Integrated professionalburr grinder with 7 adjustable coarseness settings Adjustable quantities of coffee and water to make an individually tailored cup of coffee Electronic temperature control so you can set your coffee from piping hot to medium temperature Removable brewing unit for easy cleaning Automatic shut-off of machine after a pre-set time has elapsed Adjustable steam emission Double boiler system, with one boiler exclusively for espresso and the other for steam, means your cappuccino can be made almost instantly with the press of one button Rinse and decalcification auto-programmes variable to reflect local water hardness Adjustable height coffee dispenser to accommodate either full size or espresso size Active cup warmer Removable drip tray with water level indicator Stylish high gloss black 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

Portfolio Cotton Rich Bootleg Joggers, 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

2 Pairs of Sheer 15 Denier Matt Knee Highs, at Marks & Spencer
A great value essential, these 15 denier sheer matt knee-highs will give a sleek. Perfect with trousers or long skirts

Classic Collection Floral Print Skirt, at Marks & Spensers
Elegant and feminine, this floral print skirt is designed for a shapely silhouette. A smart modern look

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Jacquard Print Top, at Marks and Spencers
A fashionable 3/4 sleeve jacquard print top in a soft cotton blend fabric, featuring empire line with tie feature

Block Floral Long Length Skirt, at M+S
Long and lovely, this A-line skirt is designed to fit and flatter. Stylish, practical and fashionable

Older Girls' Butterfly Flip Flops, at Marks & Spencers
Round toe Flat sole Butterfly design Toe post design

Peter Rabbit Soft Toy, at Marks n Spencer
Suitable for ages 0-3 years Plain shirt and carrot feature Approx 28cm This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Cotton Rich Roma Cropped Jeans with Belt, at Marks & Spencer
A fashionable pair of cropped jeans in stretch cotton featuring an on the waist design. Comes with a plaited belt

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

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