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 & Spenser 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 and 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 Home Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Marks & Spencers Money 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 Home 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 Home 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, Marks & Spencers Money 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 Marks & Spencers Money. Not least of these is Marks & Spenser 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 and Spencer, 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 Financial Services, you get more, and you pay less.

Per Una Roma Cotton Rich Bootleg Trousers with Belt, at Marks and Spenser
A stylish pair of bootleg trousers in stretch cotton featuring a buckle belt

Collezione Luxury Leather Wallet, at M+S
Smart, stylish and practical, this leather wallet makes it easy to organise cards, notes and coins

2 Autograph Addison Black Dining Chairs, at Mark & Spensers
H86 x W47 x D51cm Black Italian leather seats Sold as a pair Made from American Black Walnut solids and veneers, with Beech veneer on unseen faces Finished with 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of mid sheen Chairs are made from solid wood for strength 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. 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 SAVE ON SETS Save at least 25% when you buy these chairs as part of a set. Click here to view the Addison Black Collection Set. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Thin Straps Centre Bow Vest, at Marks & Spencers
Pretty and feminine, this centre bow vest is made from soft breathable cotton for a comfortable night's sleep

Blue Harbour Short Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
A fashionable look without the fuss. This short sleeve stripe shirt is quick and easy to iron

Marin Ridge California Shiraz 2007 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Shiraz (Syrah) Country of origin: USA Closure: Natural cork Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.5% vol Alcohol units per bottle 10.1 Alcohol units per 125ml 1.7 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Côtes du Rhône Les Closiers 2007 - Case of 6, at Marks n Spencer
Grape variety: 65% Grenache, 35% syrah Country of origin: France Closure: Natural Cork Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.5 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.8 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

36 Indian Style Chicken Kebabs, at Marks & Spencers
Contains 36 pieces Serves 8 Ready to eat Suitable for freezing 500g As featured on page 15 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

Sonoma Office Desk & Desk Tidy Set, at M&S
*Save 25% when you buy this set. Individually 648. Save 162. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer Tidy: 2 drawers and fixed glass shelf Tidy: H16 x W106 x D22.5cm Desk: 1 large pull out drawer with fold down front, ideal for a keyboard Desk: H77 x W131 x D65cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

M&S Nevada 3 Man Tent, at Mark & Spencers
2 - 3 man tent Suitable for year round use Easy to setup Taped seams Weather protected porch for storage or cooking Ventilated outer flysheet 3 inner tent pockets Zip fastening Mesh door Made from fire retardant materials Water repellent: 3000 hydrostic head 7.9mm fibre glass poles Breathable inner tent Dimensions of sleeping area: H120 x W205 x L205cm Storage area: 1.24m sq Carry case

Authentic Beach Trousers, at Marks & Spencers
Loose fitting and lightweight, the functional design of these versatile beach trousers makes them a must-have for your summer wardrobe

Long Sleeve Microcheck Classic Pyjamas, at Marks and Spencer
Crisp and comfortable, these cotton blend pyjamas are outstanding value

Multi Bead & Disc Necklace, at Marks and Spencer
Interspersed beads and discs Long length Rope chain Necklace length 104cm

Funky Flower Wallpaper, at Marks and Spenser
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Linen Blend Bootleg Trousers, at Marks&Spencer
Fashionable and fabulous, bootcuts flatter curves and make legs look longer. This pair sits on the waist and is designed to give a shapely feminine silhouette. Added stretch gives the perfect fit

Die Cut Butterflies Age 7 Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: 7 Happy birthday Inside message: To...from Approx size: 174 x 126mm

Easycare Short Sleeve Fine Pinstripe Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
Smart and stylish, this easycare shirt makes a practical choice for everyday wear

Luxury Wool Rich Flat Front Trousers, at Marks & Spenser
Hours of handcrafting have gone into this superior quality suit for authentic tailored style. Every detail has been carefully considered to give a luxurious look and feel

Limited Collection Sparkle Skinny Belt, at M+S
Show off curves and cinch in your waist with this skinny belt with bead detailing for an on-trend look for day or night

Limited Collection 3/4 Sleeve Printed Cardigan, at Marks & Spencers
Part of Limited Collection's Club Rio trend - get tropical in a heady mix of hot, sun-drenched hues and modern graphic prints with fresh white accents. A fashion-conscious holiday look

Maritza Swirl Bracelet, at Marks and Spencer
Stretch style Mixed beads

Younger Boys' Pure Cotton Car Race Shorties, at Marks & Spencers
Fun and fashionable, these comfy pure cotton shorties feature a fun car race motif

Vintage Rosado Cava 2006 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Noir Country of origin: Spain Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.5 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Big And Tall Two Button Basket Weave Jacket, at Marks&Spencer
Specially proportioned for big and tall men, this basket weave jacket is designed to give a flattering, comfortable fit

Harvard Shower Gel, at Marks n Spencer
100ml

Classic FM: Dinner Parties CD, at Mark & Spensers
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Sheer Blush Eau De Toilette 90ml, at Marks and Spencers
90ml Eau De Toilette Sheer blush fragrance

Sony PSP™ 3000 Console with 3 Games Bundle, at M&S
Bundle includes PSP 3000 console and 3 games FIFA 09: Step onto the pitch and play professional football your way in FIFA 09. Experience the most authentic football simulation EA Sports has delivered as you live the fantasy of playing as a professional player and customise the game to suit your style and ability Tiger Woods PGA 09: Whether you're a seasoned veteran or hitting the links for the first time, now everybody swings on an even playing field in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 All-Play Patapon 2: For years the Patapon tribe has lived in the desolate frontier, driven from their home by the evil Zigoton army. Behind the Patapons' cute exterior, lies a fierce warrior spirit that can only be commanded by the beat of their Gods war drum. They wait for the day that the "Almighty" will return, to lead them against their enemies and bring them back to their homeland. Finally, their wait has come to an end as the drums of war are heard once again Display: 4.3'' display (16:9) full-transparent type, TFT drive, 480 x 272 pixel, Approximately 16,770,000 colors displayed Improved screen: Capable of displaying movies and photos in more natural and vibrant colors CPU: PSP CPU (System clock frequency 1-333MHz) Built-in microphone: Enables voice chat as soon as you are in a WiFi zone. Enjoy games that use a microphone, Skype and other communication tools TV play: Expanded AV interlaced output gives better refresh rates and sharper images on the TV Sound: Built-in stereo speakers Main memory: 64MB Video formats supported: MPEG-4, AVI Audio formats supported: MP3, MP4, WAVE, WMA, ATRAC3™, ATRAC3plus™ Photo formats supported: JPEG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, PNG Connectors: USB connector, Memory Stick Duo™ slot, Video out/headset connector, DC in/out Input/output: Wi-Fi, High Speed USB, Memory Stick PRO Duo™, Analog Video Out, Microphone

16 Garlic Mushrooms, at Marks and Spencer
16 pieces Serves 8 Ready to cook Suitable for vegetarians 2 x 200g total weight As featured on page 43 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

Pure Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Plain Top, at Mark's & Spencer
For casual elegance, you can't beat this 3/4 sleeve, scoop neck top. A great value cotton essential

When you're shopping at Marks&Spencer 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 Marks & Spencers Money. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Home 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 Marks & Spencers Money. 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 Marks & Spencers Money, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the Marks & Spencers Money 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."