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 Household 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 Household 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.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Money Direct. Not least of these is Marks and Spencer Standard Motor Insurance. With M&S Money Direct 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 M&S Money Direct, which also has other features.

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

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 & Spensers 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, Sainsburys, 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 Money Direct UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Cricket Keyring, at Marks&Spencer
You'll never lose your keys again with this eye-catching keyring with it's cricket design

Angel Cotton Rich Stripe First Bra & Shorts Set, at M&S
This simply styled great value bra set is ideal for everyday wear. It's made with stretchy cotton for a supportive and comfortable fit and the non-wired design is the best choice for first bras

Cotton Rich Velour Hello Kitty Hooded Top, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionable and pretty, this cotton rich velour hooded top features a studded Hello Kitty motif

Ultimate Non-Iron Pure Cotton Plain Long Sleeve Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Offering natural comfort and durability, this crisp pure cotton shirt has a specially crafted non-iron design for a no-fuss appearance. A cutaway collar offers a contemporary focus matched with formal french cuffs

Platinum Plated Princess Cut Sparkle Stud Earrings, at Marks & Spenser
Princess cut Sparkle effect Butterfly fastening Platinum plated For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

4 Pairs of Birdseye Assorted Socks, at Marks and Spenser
Soft and comfortable, these cotton blend socks are naturally breathable and absorbent, keeping feet dry and comfy. A reinforced heel and toe gives extra durability

Cotton Rich V-Neck Jumper, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and comfortable, this V-neck jumper is outstanding value. It's made from soft cotton with added stretch for improved fit, comfort and shape retention

Maxim Wine Glass, at Marks & Spencer
Maxim style Coloured glass H21.5cm 36cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Collezione Wool Rich Flat Front Trousers with Cashmere, at Marks and Spencers
A fine pure wool blend provides the perfect complement to the smart design of these flat front. Providing formal versatility, they're the perfect choice for the office or smart occasions

Humming Bird Happy Birthday Gift Card, at Marks & Spencers
Credit card-sized Gift Card with presentation greetings card Can be redeemed in any of our UK stores and online Gift Cards can be topped up in stores to the maximum value of 500 Gift Cards are valid for 24 months after last use Frequently asked questions Click here to view frequently asked questions about our Gift Cards Click here for full Gift Card terms and conditions This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Autograph Essentials Polo Neck Jumper with Merino Wool, at Marks&Spencer
A touch of fine merino wool adds softness and warmth to this smart polo neck jumper. Exclusive, luxurious and beautiful

Wooden Body Care Styling Hair Brush, at Marks & Spencer
Wooden design Rounded pins This brush is made with wood from well managed forests as certified by the Forest Stewardship Council

Autograph Pure Cotton Stripe Long Sleeve Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
This luxurious shirt is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Its fine quality and careful attention to detail make it a superior and stylish modern classic

Autograph Baguette Hoop Earrings Made with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements, at Marks and Spencer
Hoop design Butterfly fastening Made with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements

Big & Tall Single Breasted 2 Button Jacket, at M&S
Specially proportioned for big and tall men, this single breasted jacket is designed to give a flattering, comfortable fit

Halterneck Bold Stripe Bikini Top, at Marks & Spencer
Feminine and fashionable, this flattering bikini top is designed in the latest shape. A fabulous fashionable look

Fairview Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Semillon Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.1 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.7 Contains sulphites

Collezione Italian Pure Silk Cougar Check Tie, at Marks & Spencer
Stylish and luxurious, this pure silk tie is part of Collezione, a sophisticated menswear collection inspired by Italian tailoring

Wide Leg Drawstring Trousers, at M+S
Fluid and feminine, these wide leg trousers are cut to flatter, giving an elegant silhouette. A stylish, fashionable look

Supima® Pure Cotton Non-Iron Deep Fitted Sheet, at Marks and Spencer
Deep fit 30cm Internationally recognised as the world's finest cotton Supima is renowned for its superior strength, enhanced durability and sumptuous feel High performance non iron finish offering the ultimate in easy care Think climate! This can be washed effectively at 30C, find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Wooden Spatulas, at M&S
2 Piece set Handle hole for hanging L29.5cm (largest), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Valletta Table, at M & S
Stainless steel and teak frame Suitable for outdoor use H80 x W150 x W90cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Pure Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Printed Cardigan, at MarksandSpencer
Cool and comfortable, this 3/4 sleeve cardigan is made from pure natural cotton and features a floral button fastening for a fashionable look

Sleeveless Funnel Neck Spot Gilet, at Marks & Spencer
Cute and cosy, this funnel neck sleeveless gilet makes a comfortable and practical choice

Small Kangaroo Soft Toy, at Marks and Spencer
Suitable for ages 0-3 years Approx 21cm This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Embroidered Spot Cushion With Recycled Filling, at Marks n Spencer
Spot design Square shape, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

4 Windsor Sherry Glasses, at Marks & Spencer
Set of 4 Dishwasher safe 9cl H13cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

24 Vol-Au-Vents, at Marks & Spencers
Contains 24 pieces Serves 6 Ready to cook Suitable for freezing 400g As featured on page 14 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

Marlow Triple Wardrobe, at Marks & Spencer
H182 x W137 x D52cm With 1 hanging rail and 3 shelves Crafted predominantly from solid pine and fibreboard Assembled for you in the home This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more SAVE ON SETS Save at least 25% when you buy this wardrobe as part of a set. Click here to view the Marlow Collection Set. Click here to view the internal layout of this furniture, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Fairmont Chairs, at Marks and Spencers
Set of 2 Textaline and teak design Easy-clean fabric Teak source approved by the World Wildlife Fund Suitable for outdoor use 96 x 56 x 81cm Seat: H46cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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 and 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 & Spenser, through its M&S Money Direct website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Household Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.