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 Marks and 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, 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 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.

Besides Marks and Spencer Motor Insurance, M&S Money Direct Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Money Direct Buildings 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 Direct 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 Mark & Spencers purchases are also protected while you take them home.

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

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

Autograph Flat Front Plain Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
A flat front and black tones give them a modern look and feel that can be worn in the office or when out and about. Plus, the crease resistant fabric with stretch makes them ideal for everyday wear

Starry Animal Presents Multipack of Mini Cards, at Marks & Spencer
8 cards, 4 designs Cover text: All cards are blank 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: 95 x 80mm

Handy Manny Repair Shop Sticker Book, at Mark & Spensers
Can you help Handy Manny and his trusty tools to fix-it right? Join all your favourite characters at Manny's Repair Shop for hours of fun activities - including spot-the-difference, sticker jigsaw puzzles and more! Handy Manny is the perfect guide to simple problem-solving activities

3/4 Sleeve V-Neck Plain Jumper, at Marks & Spencer
Soft and cosy, this jumper features a ribbed v-neck and front pockets. A versatile, easywear style

Ashbourne Armchair, at Marks&Spencer
H99 x W114 x D104cm Seat H49cm, arm H65, top back rail H75cm Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Other cushions filled with polyester fibre. Gives a soft sit with a lived-in look, which will soften and relax even further with use. Fibre is sewn into channels within the interior to prevent settlement in one area of the cushion Fabric options feature reversible seat cushions Frame made from solid hardwood. All main joints are glued and screwed to give the frame strength Frames are rigorously tested with 95kg weight equivalent and exceed standards set for heavy domestic use Solid birch feet with a dark finish All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence™ - a stain resistant finish - at no extra cost. Fabrics are tested for resistance to wear and fading Detailed care instructions are included 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 Free swatch service: Order up to 6 free swatch samples of any fabric to help you choose your upholstery by calling 0845 603 1 603 Please note: Images displayed here act as a guide and may not be representative of the finished item. Fabrics are overlayed onto model images, so actual seams and pattern match may differ from what is shown. Leather furniture, in particular, has more seams that fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Playmobil Ambulance Set, at Marks and Spencer
Suitable for ages 4+ Flash light Side and back door Equipped with medical instruments Gurney with foldable legs and adjustable head rest L11 x W5 x H6cm This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Cotton Rich Zip Funnel Neck Jumper, at Marks & Spencer
A practical, casual jumper in a cotton rich fabric featuring a zip fastening. A great value easycare style

Heritage Collection - Table Lamp, at Marks & Spencer
Pleated shade design Glass ball stem Brass finish Round base This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Croquet Football Set, at Marks and Spencers
Contains: 4 footballs, 6 hoops, 4 markers, 1 cone and storage case 2-4 players Suitable for ages 8+ For outdoor use Hoops: 345 x 200mm Balls: Diam 320mm Cone: 135 x 135 x 230 mm Markers: 30 x 30mm Bag: 400 x 280mm 1475g This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Long Length Hatch Cross Panel Skirt, at Marks & Spencers
Fashionable and contemporary, this panelled skirt is a stylish, versatile choice. A look that works dressed up or down

XBOX 360® Crash of the Titans Game, at Marks & Spencers
For XBOX 360 Crash now has a powerful acrobatic fighting system Crash can now interact with his world in totally new ways 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, Platforms: Xbox 360, ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults

Blue Harbour Cashmilon™ Mock V-Neck Jumper, at Mark's & Spencer
This soft and comfortable mock V-neck jumper is outstanding value and an essential part of any wardrobe

M&S 512MB Micro SD Memory Card, at Marks n Spencer
Compatible with digital devices with a microSD card slot Read (MB /s): 10MB Write (MB /s): 3MB Available capacity: 480MB 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

Water Resistant Digital Sports Watch, at Marks and Spencer
Ideal for sports, this stylish watch looks great with casualwear too

Per Una Check Skirt with Belt, at Mark & Spensers
A fashionable maxi length skirt featuring a check design and ruffle detail

Elasticated Waist Belt, at Marks and Spenser
Define your waistline with this fashionable elasticated waist belt

21 Blu-ray DVD, at Marks & Spenser
Rating Suitable for 12 years and over,

Autograph Essentials Short Sleeve Top, at Marks & Spencer
Part of Autograph collection this short puff sleeve top will make a useful addition to your wardrobe. It features a scoop neck for a stylish casual look

Bursa Pencil Pleat Curtains, at Marks and Spencer
Pencil pleat Trailing flower design Lined Comes in standard 168cm/66'' (STD) and wider 219cm/86'' (WDR) widths Also comes in three drop lengths: short (137cm/54''), medium (183cm/72''), long (229cm/90'') How to measure for window dressings: Click here for a guide to measuring for curtains, pelmets and roman blinds., Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Double Breasted Chunky Knit Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
Modern and stylish, this cardigan is a great work-to-evening style.

M&S Juicer, at Marks n Spencer
1 litre capacity 30 watt Removable & washable filter Transparent plastic body Cord storage Dimensions: H32cm 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

Sun Formula Protect & Refine Facial Sun Lotion, at M&S
Helps to prevent the signs of aging Powerful antioxidant complex Anti-wrinkle Anti-aging Prevention of age spots Australian formula 12 hour moisturisation SPF50 gives up to 50 times your natural skins protection 50ml This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

5 Pairs of Older Boys' Skull Socks, at Marks and Spencer
Brighten up his underwear drawer with these fashionable assorted design socks made with soft breathable cotton

Nutcracker, at Mark & Spencers
Metallic finish Hinged, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Stripe T-Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
Soft, snug and comfy, this pure cotton long sleeve t-shirt is outstanding value. It features a stripe design. Fashionable and practical

5 Cotton Rich Low Rise Shorts, at M+S
These low rise cotton rich shorts are perfect for everyday wear. Added stretch gives a comfortable fit and shape retention

Footglove™ Wide Fit Leather Square Toe Loafers, at Mark & Spencers
Square toe Stitch detail Slip-on Flat sole Wide fit Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight

Easycare Long Sleeve Check Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
Smart and stylish, this easycare shirt makes a practical choice for everyday wear

Per Una Panelled Cord Skirt, at Marks & Spensers
A sophisticated mid-calf length skirt in a soft cotton blend featuring a panelled design

5 °Climate Control Cotton Rich Plain Slips, at Marks & Spencer
Climate control keeps you cool when you're hot and warms you up when you're cold so you're always at your optimum temperature. Exclusive to M&S, Climate control clothing is comfortable and breathable - ideal for sportswear. The Outlast technology behind this innovative fabric was originally developed for astronauts and is recognised by NASA as Certified Space Technology

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

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