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 MarksandSpencer are so useful. M&S Finance financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & Spenser 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 Finance 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 Finance Property Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

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

Also, on both M&S Finance 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.

M&S Finance 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 Finance 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 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 M&S Finance UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Stripe Bikini Hipster Bottoms, at Marks & Spenser
Gorgeously feminine, this stylish bikini bottoms feature a striking stripe print. Make a splash!

The Mr Men Show - Mr. Bump Presents: Trains, Planes and Dillymobiles! DVD, at Mark's & Spencer
Rating Universal, suitable for all,

Cross Dye Quilted Bedcover, at Marks & Spencer
Stitch detail Padded Medium: 150x200cm Large: 260x265cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Long Sleeve Waterfall Cardigan, at Mark & Spensers
Elegant and feminine, this casual long sleeve cardigan makes the perfect light extra layer. It features a waterfall design for an extra stylish touch

Cotton Rich Long Sleeve Hooded Top, at M&S
A stylish wardrobe essential, this soft and snug hooded cotton rich top is great for layering and matching with trousers or jeans

Ham & Mushroom Pizza, at Marks and Spenser
Serves 4-6 Ready to cook Suitable for freezing 610g As featured on page 40 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

Rococo Style Mirror (8 x 10''), at Marks & Spencers
Rococo design Dimensions: 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10'') Wall mounted or stand-alone, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Thomas & Friends© Pocket Library, at Marks & Spencers
Including 6 pocket size books, this mini library is an ideal gift for any fans of the Thomas & Friends

12-Piece Portland Stripe Dinner Set, at Marks and Spencer
12-piece set Includes 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates and 4 bowls Dinner plate: Diam27.5cm Side plate: Diam20.5cm Bowl: H6cm Diam14cm Fine china Stripe design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ceriso Spot Print Frill Trim Shorts, at Mark & Spensers
Glamorous and flirty, these modern shorts feature a spot print and a frill trim. The low rise, low leg style gives a flattering, shapely fit. Designed for women who want the latest look

Younger Girls' Pom Pom Ballet Slippers, at Mark & Spencers
Ballerina style Round toe Knitted design Pom pom feature Contrast trim Slip on Flat sole

Autograph Pure Cashmere Check Scarf, at Marks and Spencer
Indulge in a touch of stylish luxury! This beautiful scarf is woven from pure cashmere and feels wonderfully soft and warm

2 Non-Wired Plain Nursing Bras with Larger Back Size, at M&S
With drop down cups perfectly designed to see you through the nursing period, this supportive bra offers lasting comfort thanks to the soft, breathable qualities of a cotton blend weave. Pack contains 1 black and 1 white bra

Classic Plain Long Sleeve Pyjamas, at Marks & Spenser
Crisp and comfortable, these cotton blend pyjamas are outstanding value

Millionaire's Shortbread Dessert, at Marks & Spensers
Serves 6-8 Ready to eat Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers Comes in a table-presentable bowl 750g total weight As featured on page 49 of the Food to Order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Small Curl Edge Glass Bowl, at M&S
Hand decorated Curl edge design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Flowers by Post - 14 Exotic Orchids, at Marks and Spencer
These 14 vibrant dendrobium orchids offer a touch of eastern charm. Flowers by Post is a great value way to spoil someone you know - or yourself

Per Una Floral Print Sequin Shoulder Bag, at Mark & Spensers
Sequin embellishment makes this fashionable bag even more special. Give your look the Per Una twist!

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Block Stripe T-Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Fashionable and relaxed, this block stripe t-shirt is made from pure cotton so it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

2 Piece Pure Cotton Yee Ha Dungaree Outfit, at Marks and Spencer
Fun and practical, this cute 2 piece dungaree outfit features a cowboy motif and slogan. It's made from pure soft cotton to keep him comfy

North Coast Pure Cotton Straight Leg Jeans, at Marks and Spencer
Stylish and comfortable, these straight leg jeans give a regular fit through the hip and thigh

Autograph Diamanté Key & Lock Keyring, at Marks and Spenser
Clasp fastening Key and lock pendants Diamant detail

Autograph Radiance Blusher, at M+S
Hypoallergenic Includes compact mirror inside

Tramline Shoes, at Marks and Spencer
Square flip toe Eyelets Lace up Stitch detail

My First Opposites Puzzles, at Marks and Spencers
Suitable for ages 0-3 years 22 pieces, 10 puzzles in total Hand-eye coordination and problem solving This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Portfolio Floral Print Layered Short Sleeve Blouse, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Portfolio's Mimosa trend. A beautifully elegant look featuring chic, muted tones such as cocoa, mink, saffron and purple. Striking prints are key to this feminine trend

Yellow Star Well Done Seed Card, at Mark's & Spencer
Cover Text: Well done Inside Message: Blank for your own message Approx Size: 174 mm x 126 mm

Long Length Seam Skirt with Belt, at Marks & Spencer
Smart and modern, this flared skirt is a stylish, versatile choice. A look that works dressed up or down

Sonoma 3-Door Glazed Top Unit with Lights, at Mark's & Spencer
H110 x W179 x D33cm 3 doors 6 adjustable glass shelves Shelves made from safety-tested toughened glass Internal lights with separate on/off switch Made from solid oak and oak veneer This range features natural wood characteristics Finished with 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Door frames made from solid wood. Door panels made from White Oak veneer Side and back made from White Oak veneer All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Why use veneers? Unlike solid timber, veneer does not twist/warp/split to the same degree. Only the finest logs are used in veneer production. It is environmentally sound and traditional - much of the finest cabinetry in the world is veneered 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

JBL On Stage™ 200ID - Portable Speaker Dock for iPod®, at Marks and Spencer
Compatibility: All docking versions of the iPod (including nano G3, iPod classic, iPod touch and iPhone), MP3 and CD players, and desktop and laptop computers (all platforms) Input Requirement: Main connection docking connector for iPod; auxiliary connection 3.5mm (1/8") stereo mini jack High-performance loudspeaker dock for iPod Full iPod* and iTunes compatibility Easy-to-use music and navigation controls and IR remote Digital power and DSP (digital signal processing) Combines many proprietary technologies to provide clear, accurate sound with astonishing bass Frequency Response 40Hz 20kHz Input Impedance >10k Ohms Signal-to-Noise Ratio >85dB Voltage Input 110V 240V AC Dimensions 359mm x 64mm x 110mm Weight 0.7kg

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 M&S Finance. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Property Insurance and Motor 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 Finance. 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 Finance, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Finance 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."