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 & Spencer are so useful. Marks & Spencers Money financial products are, of course, designed to make M+S 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, House Insurance policies. Usually, UK House 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 House 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 House 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 n 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 & 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 Motor Insurance, M&S House Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

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

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

Autograph Skinny Floral Tie, at MarksandSpencer
Cut narrower for a contemporary look, this skinny tie adds a smart finishing touch. Ideal for sixth form wear

Limited Collection Frill Side Tunic, at Marks & Spensers
Get the latest look in this trend-conscious tunic with contemporary frill details

Autograph Liquid Eyeliner, at Marks & Spencers
Easy-application liquid liner with a fine brush for dramatic eyes Hypo-allergenic

Cats Photographic Calendar, at Marks & Spencer
Month-to-view Approx. size: 225 x 390mm

Bordeaux Rosé 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Cabernet Franc Country of origin: France Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.4 Alcohol units per 125ml:1.6 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Portfolio Bobble Drop Earrings, at Marks&Spencer
Hook fastening Drop style Bobble design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Flat Front Crease Resistant Trousers, at M&S
Smart and stylish, these easycare crease-resistant trousers are outstanding value

8 Mini Craft Floral Cards Multipack, at Marks & Spencers
Contains: 8 cards, 4 designs Cover text: Design 1: Blank, design 2: Just to say..., design 3: Blank, design 4: Thank you Approx size: 95 x 80mm

7 Pairs of Freshfeet Square Design Socks, at Mark & Spencers
The innovative Aegis Active Freshness system will keep these socks smelling fresh and odour free and its permanently built into the sock to perform wash after wash. They're cotton rich for soft natural comfort and have a reinforced heel and toe for extra durability

5 Cotton Rich Animal Print Bikini Knickers, at Marks and Spencer
These animal print cotton rich knickers are perfect for everyday wear. Added stretch gives a comfortable fit and shape retention

Per Una Pure Cotton Floral Canvas Shopping Bag, at Marks & Spensers
A floral print makes this fashionable bag even more special. Give your look the Per Una twist!

Tummy Control Strappy Vest, at Marks and Spenser
This tummy control vest gives a flattering shape - great under close fitting tops. The hidden panel shapes the waistline and flattens your tummy while the longer length helps prevent it rolling up

Per Una Wide Waistband Pleated Electric Check Skirt, at Mark & Spensers
A stylish check print skirt in soft fabric featuring a contrast wide waistband

Pure Cotton Thermal V-Neck Vest, at Marks and Spencer
Keep cosy in this soft thermal V-neck vest made from breathable cotton for improved comfort. Warm without being bulky, it makes the perfect extra layer for cold weather

Per Una Floral Print Frill Blouse, at Marks and Spencer
An elegant short sleeve blouse in a soft cotton blend. Frill detail gives it the Per Una touch

3 Pack Round Neck T-Shirts, at Marks and Spencers
Stock up on essential t-shirts with this great value multipack in soft, comfortable cotton. Practical and easycare, they're a great choice for casualwear and for PE

24 Mini Smoked Salmon Bagels, at Marks & Spencer
Contains 24 pieces Serves 8 Ready to eat Suitable for freezing 450g As featured on page 10 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

Cotton Rich 3/4 Sleeve Mock Layer Jumper, at Marks & Spencers
Contemporary and casual, this jumper is made with cool comfortable cotton and features a mock undershirt for a fashionable look

Maxim Pasta Bowl, at Marks & Spensers
Versatile fine dining range Pure white porcelain Suitable for everyday use Makes an ideal gift Diam 22cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

First Readers The Three Billy Goats Gruff, at M&S
The Billy Goats Gruff want to eat the green grass on the other side of the bridge. But can they face up to the troll? He is waiting for the three goats!

Classic Collection Stripe Straight Leg Trousers, at Marks n Spencer
Smart and stylish, these straight leg trousers are designed for a flattering, comfortable fit and a polished look. They make the perfect match for fashionable jackets, blouses and knitwear.

Oscar Changing Unit, at Marks & Spencer
H103 x W90 x D55cm 4 drawers Changing top is removable when no longer needed 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

Play Iron, at Marks & Spencers
Suitable for ages 3+ Promotes imaginative play Height: 17cm This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Roma Cotton Rich Soft Bootleg Trousers, at M+S
A fashionable bootleg pair of trousers featuring a button and zip fastening

Autograph Malva Chair, at Marks & Spencer
H75 x W75 x D90cm Seat H42cm (all dimensions are approximate) 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 Swivel metal base instead of feet 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 All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence& trade; - 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 than fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Stripe Towels, at Marks&Spencer
Stripe design Comes in 3 sizes, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Cotton Rich °Climate Control Vests, at M&S
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

Younger Girls' Spot Print Wellie Boots, at MarksandSpencer
Wellie style Round toe Spot print Handle detail Lined

Bubbles Bud Vase, at Mark's & Spencer
This hand made bubble bud vase is an ideal way to add a bit of colour and elegance to any bare space in your home

Secret Support™ Sports Mules, at Marks & Spencers
The ultimate in comfort, these sport slippers are made with hidden support that moulds to the natural contours of your feet. They are machine washable for added convenience

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