M&S is best known as a posh high street department store, but it also offers a range of financial products, including car insurance. We’ve looked at the levels of cover available, the claims process involved and what customers think of the brand as an insurer.
M&S Bank was set up by the famous Marks and Spencer brand in 1988 but is currently part of the HSBC Group. M&S Bank prides itself on customer service, and has been operating for over 30 years.
M&S Bank’s car insurance policies are arranged and administered by BISL Ltd using a panel of more than 10 insurers including Ageas, Allianz, Aviva, Covea, LV=, Sabre, Zenith, and Zurich.
The specific insurer underwriting your policy will be displayed on your policy documents.
Third party cover is the most basic form of car insurance legally accepted on UK roads. Third party car insurance at M&S Bank includes cover for:
Third party fire and theft cover offers slightly more protection than third party car insurance. Third party fire and theft car insurance at M&S Bank includes cover for:
As the name suggests, comprehensive cover is the most expansive type of car insurance you can get. It offers the highest level of protection for you and your car. Comprehensive cover at M&S Bank includes cover for:
M&S Bank’s standard car insurance cover is designed for drivers looking for low premiums. It provides a good level of cover for a fair price. Features of standard cover include:
M&S Bank’s premier car insurance cover offers more features and benefits than their standard cover. These additional benefits mean that with this level of insurance you can expect to pay slightly more.
| Cover benefits | Premier cover | Standard cover |
|---|---|---|
| Breakdown cover | ✓ | Optional |
| Uninsured driver protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Motor legal protection | ✓ | Optional |
| Guaranteed replacement car | ✓ | Optional |
| Courtesy car – subject to availability | ✓ | ✓ |
| European Union travel – unlimited trips up to 90 days per cover period | ✓ | ✓ |
| Loss, theft, damage and destruction of vehicle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Loss, theft, damage to personal property in vehicle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal accident cover for you and your spouse – up to £10,000 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child seat cover up to £150 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Approved repairs guaranteed for 3 years | ✓ | ✓ |
| Claims line with personal claims manager | ✓ | ✓ |
M&S Bank offers each car insurance customer a personal claims manager should you need to make a claim. Your claims manager will act as your main contact throughout your claims process.
If you need to make a claim on your M&S Bank car insurance policy then you can call the claims team on 0344 412 2160 with your policy number to hand.
The M&S Bank claims team is available 24/7.
On customer review platform Trustpilot, M&S as a company has 1.2 out of 5 stars and a rating of “Poor”, based on more than 100 reviews.
On similar platform, Review Centre, the company’s car insurance service also has 1.2 out of 5 stars, based on more than 140 reviews. Only 6% of customers say they would recommend the service.
Some customers report good service, but many complain of poor service, poor claim handling and price hikes (updated December 2020).
Although it looks as though M&S Bank only offers comprehensive car insurance in either a standard or premier policy, it does actually offer third party, third party fire and theft or comprehensive policies.
If you do opt for a comprehensive policy, you’ll benefit from a range of features including the usual, as well as child seat cover, uninsured driver protection and European travel cover.
Shop around and compare the car insurance deals on offer to you.
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