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. Marks & Spencers Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & 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, 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 Marks & Spencers 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 Marks & Spencers Money Property Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

When you're shopping at Marks and Spenser 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 Property Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks & Spenser 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."

Shopping for financial products at Marks & Spencers Money UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks and Spencers online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the Marks & Spencers Money website:

• M&S Insurance: M&S Car Insurance, M&S Property 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 & Spensers, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

And, just as importantly, contacting Marks & Spencers Money in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the Marks & Spencers Money website.

Girlie Dress Up Range Water Bottle, at Marks and Spencers
1 water bottle 7cm x 19cm

Pure Cotton "Surf Cove" Hooded Zip-Up Top, at Marks & Spenser
This is a cool and casual hooded zip-up top that boys will love

Autograph Pure Silk Stripe Clooney Tie, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and contemporary, this pure silk tie is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Designer style and luxury at high street prices

Autograph Wool Rich Funnel Neck Coat, at Marks and Spencers
Beautifully designed and finished, the classic funnel neck trench coat is given a modern update with contemporary styling

Mr Brown's Bad Idea Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: Clearing out the shed was a bad idea... ...the clutter was the only thing holding the roof up! Inside message: Happy birthday This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 178 x 126mm

Autograph Eyebrow Pencil, at Marks and Spencer
Hypoallergenic Available in 5 shades

Lavender Refresher & Burner Oil, at Mark & Spensers
Lavender fragrance 15ml This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Pure Cashmere Knitted Cowl Neck Poncho, at Marks & Spensers
Wrap up warm in fashionable style with this pure cashmere poncho. The contemporary design looks great over this season's fashions, or wear with jeans and boots

Total Support Cotton Rich Embroidered Swirl Bra, at Marks & Spensers
Soft and comfortable, this non-wired bra gives all-round support and uplift with good coverage, extra wide straps and 3 hook-and-eye fasteners. It's secure but gentle and lightweight, an ideal choice for everyday wear

Autograph Diamanté Cluster Platform Shoes, at M&S
Platform style Round toe Diamante cluster Slip-on High heel Heel height: 112mm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Fun Couple in Car Wedding Card, at Mark & Spencers
Cover text: Just Married Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: Unfolded: 150 x 150mm

Autograph Modal Blend Retro Trunks, at Mark's & Spencer
Made from soft, luxurious modal blend, these superior trunks are designed for exceptional comfort, a fashionable look and a flattering fit

Tribeca 2 Seater Sofa AU09 Newness, at M+S
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Classic Collection Pure Cotton Stripe Insert Top, at Marks and Spencer
Modern and stylish, this versatile top is made from soft easycare fabric and features a stripe design. A fashionable style with a comfortable, flattering fit

Collezione Luxury Wool Single Pleat Raised Stripe Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
Add a smart dimension to your formal wardrobe with these single pleat trousers. Allowing for more hip room, they provide a clean, crisp and well turned out look

2 Pure Cotton Fitted Cot Sheets, at Marks & Spenser
Pack of 2 Fitted design Plain, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Alnwick Floor & Table Lamp Set, at Marks & Spenser
Pack of 2 Square base Brushed chrome finish Double stem design Floor lamp: H143.5 x W34 x D20cm Floor lamp: Bulb: 100W ES GLS Table lamp: H60.5 x W28 x D18cm Table lamp: Bulb: 60W ES GLS This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Multi-Aperture Photo Frame, at Marks and Spencer
Holds 7 photos Various size apertures Rectangular frame H53 x W47cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Contemporary Watercolour Flowers Multipack of Mini Cards, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: All cards are blank Inside message: blank for your own message 8 cards, 4 designs Approx size: 95 x 80mm

Metal Rim Tinted Sunglasses, at Marks and Spencers
Providing essential protection for the eyes, these stylish and wearable shades will flatter most face shapes

Per Una Dip Dye A-Line Skirt, at Mark's & Spencer
A colourful A-line skirt in a soft cotton blend featuring dip dye design

Roberts Ecologic 4 FM RDS/DAB Digital Radio in White, at Marks and Spencers
Up to 150 hours battery life FM/DAB wavebands FM RDS station name display 20 stations preset Easy to read 16 x 2 character LCD display Menu display / selection of all major functions Search / Manual tuning Automatic clock set Rotary tone and volume controls Up/down tuning buttons Battery: 6 x LR20/D size (not included) Dimensions: W29.5 x H16.5 x D11.5cm Weight: 2kg 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

Autograph Pure Silk Assorted Stripe Tie, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and contemporary, this pure silk tie is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Designer style and luxury at high street prices

Bright Butterflies Nana Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Love you Nana Message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Mirrored Collection Console Table, at MarksandSpencer
H77 x W102 x D35 cm 2 drawers Mirrored finish with clear knobs Delivered flatpack due to size Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item 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

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Pocket Top, at Marks and Spencer
This short sleeved top will make a useful addition to your wardrobe. It features a classic collar for a stylish casual look

5 Pairs of No-Show Trainer Liners with Cool&Fresh, at Marks and Spencer
Comfortable and durable, these socks are outstanding value. They feature a reinforced toe and stretch fabric for an improved fit

Ataraxia Serenity 2006 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Shiraz based blend Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.9 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

3 Pairs of Cotton Rich Assorted Ankle Socks, at Marks and Spenser
Cute and comfy, these soft cotton rich socks feature assorted designs

101 Brainbusting Quizzes, at Mark & Spensers
Give their brains a workout with this puzzle book. It's educational and fun, and with such a variety of puzzles they'll be busy for hours

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

Thinking that most Car 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 Car Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Car Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately Marks & Spencers Money Car Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Car Insurance to the competition then it stacks up quite nicely.

For example, here are just some of the options which come as standard with Marks & Spensers 5 Star Premier cover Car Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Car Insurance plans from companies such as Direct Line, Sainsbury's, or Tesco:

• 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 Car 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 Marks & Spencers Money UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.