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

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 & Spencers, through its Marks & Spencer Money website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Motor 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.

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

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

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

Little Miss Sunshine Swimsuit, at Mark's & Spencer
Great for splashing around in, this comfortable swimsuit features Little Miss Sunshine

Philips HP6306 Ladyshave, at Marks and Spencer
Protects your skin during shaving: The gentle small shaving head protects your skin leaving your skin to feel soft and smooth Prevents irritation and rashes: The hypoallergenic foil protects against nicks, cuts or irritation, for a safe and comfortable shave Fits comfortably in your hand: Slim ergonomic design Easy storage: Luxury storage pouch Shave in or out of the shower Replacable head Accessories: cleaning brush, protection cap

Per Una Floral Lace Underwired DD-G Bra, at MarksandSpencer
Flattering and comfortable, this bra is specially designed for fuller busts. The push up style gives gentle support and a flattering enhanced cleavage

Double Buckle Strap Briefcase, at Marks & Spencer
Smart, stylish and practical, this double buckle briefcase makes it easy to organise and carry your documents

Altena Cortese 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencers
Grape variety: 100% Cortese Country of origin: Italy Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 11.5% vol Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Bourne Supremacy Blu-ray DVD, at Marks & Spencer
Rating Suitable for 12 years and over,

Medium Spencer Bear, at Marks & Spencers
Suitable for ages 12 months + H36cm This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Spot Side Ruched Tankini Top, at M+S
Feminine and glamorous, this swimsuit is designed to fit and flatter. The halterneck makes it even more stylish

Classic Collection Palm Print Top, at Marks&Spencer
Feminine and pretty, this floral print top will give your look an instant lift. It looks lovely worn with plain skirts or trousers in coordinating colours from the Classic collection

Collezione Single Lock Leather Briefcase, at M&S
Sophisticated and luxurious, this leather briefcase is inspired by Italian style

Fairtrade Organic Cotton Animal Sleepbag, at Marks&Spencer
Look below to see a video clip about FairtradeThis cute sleepbag is made from soft, comfy Fairtrade cotton. We buy the cotton at a fair price from small-scale farmers around the world. The extra income raised enables them to invest in their own communities, like providing wells for clean water and improving healthcare facilities

Machine Washable Diagonal Stripe Tie, at Marks & Spencers
No more trips to the drycleaners! This striped tie is machine washable

Traidcraft 3 Hearts Wedding or Engagement Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: Blank Inside message: blank for your own message Approx size: 138 x 138mm

Per Una Printed Stripe Bikini Briefs, at Marks & Spensers
Pretty and feminine, these bikini briefs are fashionably detailed with a stripe design. A sleek, shapely look

Wonderful Birthday Butterfly Card, at M&S
Cover Text: have a wonderful birthday Inside Message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Maternity Skirt & Leggings Set, at Marks & Spencer
Smart and stylish, this skirt and leggings set is designed to flatter you and your bump. Added stretch and a clever cut give a neat, comfortable fit with room for growth. Enjoy your pregnancy in style!

Classic Collection Cashmilon™ Turtle Neck Jumper, at Marks and Spenser
Stylish and so comfortable, this jumper in softest cashmilon™ feels as good as it looks and the smart turtle neck adds the perfect finishing touch.

Disney Pixar Cars Wrap Pack, at Mark & Spencers
Pack contains: 2 sheets, 2 tags Approx size: Each sheet: 495 x 695, Tags: 80 x 55mm (folded) Disney / Pixar

Limited Collection Sequin Sleeve Tunic, at Marks & Spencers
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

Chandelier Embroidered Cushion, at Mark's & Spencer
Rectangular shape Embroidered chandelier design Dimension: L31 x W41cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Pack Ball Candle, at Marks and Spencer
Pack of 2 Ball shaped 80mm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Daisy Print Tie, at Marks & Spencers
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

M&S 2-Tier Steamer, at Marks and Spenser
5.6 litre capacity 800 watt 60 minute timer 2 detachable steaming compartments Power indicator Automatic shut-off Dimensions: H39 x D35cm 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

Big & Tall Blue Harbour Cotton Rich Stretch Jeans, at Marks and Spencer
Relaxed and casual, these cotton rich straight leg jeans are made with stretch for comfort and ease of movement

Deli Style Coleslaw, at Marks and Spencers
Serves 8 Ready to eat 800g As featured on page 27 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

5 Pairs of Younger Boys' Cotton Rich Assorted Socks, at Marks & Spensers
Brighten up his underwear drawer with these fashionable assorted design socks made with soft breathable cotton

Pacific 2 Seater Sofa, at Marks & Spencer
H90 x W136 x D90cm Seat H50cm, arm H68cm, top back rail H67cm Seat cushions made from Quallofil Extralife filling. Click here for more information on Quallofil Extralife Other cushions made from polyester fibre All cushions are reversible Cushion covers can be removed Pine feet with a light finish This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Collezione Pure Wool Single Pleat Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
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

5 Pure Cotton Plain Midi Knickers, at Marks & Spencer
Made from pure natural cotton, these plain briefs are cool, comfortable, breathable and perfect for everyday wear

Sequin Cushion, at Marks & Spencer
Sequin detail Rectangular shape L30 x W40cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer Money 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 Marks & Spencer Money 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 & Spencer 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 Direct:

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