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 Spencers are so useful. Marks & Spencers 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, Home Insurance policies. Usually, UK Home 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 & Spencers Money Home 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 & Spencers Money Home Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

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 & Spencers Money. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Home Insurance and Car 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 Marks & Spencers 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 & Spencers Money, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the Marks & Spencers 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."

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 & Spensers 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 & Spencer, through its Marks & Spencers 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 Home Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Leather Reversible Gunmetal Buckle Belt, at Marks and Spencers
Add a smart finishing touch with this reversible leather belt.

Pure Linen Short Sleeve Shirt, at Mark's & Spencer
Comfortable and versatile, this pure linen short sleeve shirt is a classic style, perfect for warm days

Silver Plated Hoop Necklace & Earrings Set, at Marks and Spencers
2 part set Hook fastening drop style earrings Cord design with hoop pendant necklace

Pure Cotton Spot Print Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
Pretty and feminine, this spot print cropped cardigan is made from pure natural cotton. A fabulous fashionable look

Angel Contrast Strap Cutie Motif First Bra, at Marks and Spenser
This pretty contrast strap bra is designed for a supportive and comfortable fit. The non-wired design is the best choice for first bras

Country Bunch Die Cut Niece Card, at Marks n Spencer
Cover text: Niece happy birthday Inside message: Have a fantastic day Approx size: 150 x 150mm

2 Duck Feather & Down Pillows, at Marks and Spencer
Pack of 2 Medium support Pure cotton cover 230 thread count and 100% cotton downproof cover W48cm x L76cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Older Boys' Holiday Flip Flops, at Marks and Spencers
Flat sole Plain

Disney Fairies Glitzy Greetings Kit, at Mark's & Spencer
Suitable for ages 5+ Includes : 9 card shapes, 9 sticky pads, 8 envelopes, 8 cards, stickers sequins and a glitter glue Comes with a hair clip, badge and ribbon Develops creativity Disney This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

The Floral Collection Rose Soap, at Marks and Spenser
3 x 75g Rose scented Added moisturisers

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

Autograph Opaque Tights with Cashmere, at Marks & Spenser
These comfortable opaque tights are made with added stretch and a reinforced toe for durability

2 Silicone and Wood spatulas, at Marks & Spensers
These essential spatulas can be used for a multitude of culinary tasks. Incredibly practical the wooden handles ensure safe heat insulation

Classic Collection Floral Embroidered Wedge Slippers, at Marks and Spencers
Relax in style in these comfortable, hardwearing wedge slippers featuring emroidered floral detail. Machine washable for added convenience

Per Una Long Sleeve Crochet Scarf Cardigan, at Marks & Spencer
A casual long sleeve cardigan in textured fabric featuring a crochet knitted scarf

Double-Sided Round Cosmetic Mirror, at Marks and Spencer
Freestanding Round design Double-sided Ideal for shaving, precision tweezing or make-up application H21 x Diam 20cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Petite Cotton Rich Straight Leg Jeans, at MarksandSpencer
A wardrobe essential at a great price, these straight leg denim jeans are outstanding value. Stock up on style!

Per Una Asymmetric Hem Check Coat with Wool, at Marks n Spencer
A fashionable check design coat featuring asymmetric hem and large jewel brooch.

Rockridge Merlot 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencers
Style: Medium bodied Grape variety: Merlot Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Screw cap 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

La Tentation de Richelieu 2005 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Grape variety: 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14% vol. Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Pearl Storm Wide Collar Necklace, at Marks & Spenser
Multi bead design Wide style Clasp fastening Length: 41cm

Adventurer 450 Two-Way Radios, at Marks & Spencer
TRUSOUND - pioneering noise reduction technology delivering enhanced sound quality Easy to hold rubberised grip Ultra compact size Range up to 2 miles (3km) depending on environment and terrain Up to 304 channel combinations Dual desktop charger pod Rechargeable batteries VOX technology - handsfree conversations Backlit screen 5 call tone melodies selection Dimensions: W4.5 x L8 x D3.1cm 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

Thermal Lace Trim Ribbed Camisole with Silk, at Marks & Spensers
Indulge in soft, warm comfort with this thermal easy to wear knitted camisole. Perfect for adding a snug extra layer to your outfits during the winter months

Silver Plated Assorted Petal Y Design Necklace, at Mark's & Spencer
Y design chain necklace Assorted petal design This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Wide Strap Plain Swimsuit, at Marks & Spensers
Modern and fashionable, this wide strap swimsuit is outstanding value

Single Sprung Edge Divan with 1 Large + 1 Small Drawer & Autograph F500 Mattress, at Marks & Spencers
Single Mattress (3ft): W90 x L190cm Single Divan (3ft): W90 x L190cm Mattress depth: 28.5cm Divan Height: 41cm Large Drawer: H14 x W78 x D52cm, Small Drawer: H14 x W40 x D52cm Smaller drawers at the head end are designed to open without moving your bedside table Highly responsive pocketed springs Mattress features deep pillowtop layer of Talalay latex and luxurious white fibre Mattress also features two further layers of cotton and resilient white fibre for additional support Double row of hand side-stitching to add support to the edges Spring count: 1225 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

Wide Rib Thermal Camisole Vest, at Mark's & Spencer
Keep warm and comfortable in this soft thermal camisole vest. Designed to add a cosy extra layer without feeling bulky

Sticker Dolly Dressing Dolls Book, at Marks and Spencer
This sticker book will keep them busy as they look for an incredible over 400 stickers inside!

Pure Evoke 1S Luxury DAB & FM Portable Radio, at Marks and Spencer
Program up to 30 DAB or FM station presets Organic LED display for superior contrast and improved readability from any angle Scrolling text can be paused or stored for browsing at a later date RDS for FM station name display and RDS scrolling text Connect an iPod or MiniDisc and play it directly through the EVOKE-1S speaker Light sensor adjusts the display brightness to suit the ambient light in your room Dedicated kitchen timer button, ideal for timing your eggs to perfection Add new features as they become available via USB Environmentally friendly - standby power consumption of less than 1W and made from 70% recycled material 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

Long Sleeve Belted Zip Coat, at Marks and Spencer
A smart coat in a flattering shape will never go out of style. This coat is made from a machine washable, non iron fabric for added convenience

There are lots of ways to save money using Marks & Spencers Money. Not least of these is Marks & Spensers Standard Car Insurance. With Marks & Spencers Money you can keep the cost of your Car 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 Car Insurance cover from Marks & Spencers Money, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from M+S, 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 Car Insurance from M&S Money Direct, you get more, and you pay less.