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 MarksandSpencer 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 Financial Services website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Car Insurance, M&S Buildings & Contents Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Besides Marks and Spencers Car Insurance, M&S Financial Services Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Financial Services Buildings & Contents 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 Financial Services 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 and Spencers purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Financial Services Premier Buildings & Contents Insurance and Standard Buildings & Contents 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.

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 M & S are so useful. M&S Financial Services financial products are, of course, designed to make Mark & Spensers 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, Buildings & Contents Insurance policies. Usually, UK Buildings & Contents 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 Financial Services Buildings & Contents 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 Financial Services Buildings & Contents Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Worsted Single Breasted Herringbone Jacket, at Marks and Spencers
A style classic at a great value price, updated with a modern cut and contemporary detailing

Pure Silk Ditsy Square Print Scarf, at Mark's & Spencer
Add a luxurious finishing touch to your look with this elegant pure silk ditsy square print scarf. The perfect accessory to this season's styles

Floral Gift Card, at Marks and Spencer
Can be redeemed in any of our UK stores and online Credit card-sized Gift Card with presentation greetings card 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

Angular Prail Stretch Bracelet, at Mark's & Spencer
Angular bead design Stretch style

Non Iron Short Sleeve Check Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Smart and innovative, this easycare shirt has a special finish on the fabric and is cleverly constructed to make it non-iron. A great time saver, ideal for work wear

Sparkle Jacquard Tassel Scarf, at Marks and Spencer
This sophisticated lightweight scarf is the perfect accessory to this season's fashions. The sparkle detail adds a stylish finishing touch

Pure Cotton Embellished Kaftan, at MarksandSpencer
Gorgeously feminine, this flattering kaftan is designed in the latest shape. A fabulous fashionable look

Autograph Faceted Cylinder Vase, at Marks & Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

My Fab Friends Activity Book, at Marks and Spencer
Everyone loves having fun with their friends! With colourful friend-filled activities, this book is perfect for fun-loving girls. Plus, it includes fab hair accessories for her and her friends to enjoy

Per Una Mule Slippers, at M&S
Mule style Round toe Flat sole Embroidered 3 hearts logo

Autograph Pure Cotton 3 Piece Cardigan Outfit, at Marks and Spencers
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

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

Autograph Blush Body Cream, at Marks & Spensers
200ml Body cream

Stainless Steel Turner, at Marks&Spencer
Hanging loop Slotted design L34.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Pairs of Frill Trim Assorted Tights, at Marks & Spencer
Stock up on stylish essentials with this pack of 2 assorted design tights

XBOX 360® FIFA™ 08 Game, at Marks and Spencer
Dramatically more real and exhilarating - 620 licensed teams, 30 official leagues, and more than 15,000 players 'Be A Pro' play mode locks you in the role of a single player and challenges you to master the same disciplines as a real professional player - from positioning and tackling to reading the field and passing EA Sports interactive leagues Online leagues and tournament modes Dictate the play with new manual controls for through-passing and crossing Accessible to play online on XBOX Live M&S is a member of the WEEE Distributor Take Back Scheme. Recycling your electronic waste has never been easier! Click here for more information, Platforms: Xbox 360, ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults

M&S 1.5m HDMI Cable, at Marks & Spencer
1.5 metre cable Connects HDMI to HDMI M&S is a member of the WEEE Distributor Take Back Scheme. Recycling your electronic waste has never been easier! Click here for more information This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Stitched Flowers Wedding Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Wedding Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx. size: 175 mm x 127 mm

Floral Quilted Bedset, at Marks and Spencers
Floral embroidered design Single set includes single duvet cover (3ft) and 1 pillowcase Double set includes double duvet cover (4ft 6in)and 2 pillowcases King size includes king size duvet cover (5ft) and 2 pillowcases, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

5 Pairs of Short Butterfly Socks, at Marks and Spencer
The butterfly design adds a stylish touch to these comfortable cotton blend socks

Marqués Del Costal 2004 - Case of 6, at Mark's & Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot Country of origin: Spain Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians 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

Portfolio Pure Cotton Denim Belted Skirt, at M & S
Part of Portfolio's Parisienne trend. Feel bold and chic in this feminine look inspired by Parisian style. With a striking colour palette of cream, ruby, black and dove grey, this is a style-conscious trend for the new season

Fairy Activity Magic, at Marks & Spencer
She can read all about fairies and then create stories of her own with this bright and fun fairy activity pack

Windsor Double Wardrobe & 8-Drawer Chest Set, at Marks & Spencers
2 piece set Wardrobe: H195 x W102 x D60cm 1 hanging rail and 1 shelf Chest: H91 x W153 x D44cm 8 drawers Made from from solid pine Finished with low sheen lacquer for added durability 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 manufacturer's instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Camouflage Hooded Top, at Marks & Spencer
Relaxed and casual, this comfortable hoodie is made from pure cotton and features a stylish camouflaged print. A great value easycare style

Cotton Rich Straight Leg Jeans, at M&S
Simple and stylish, straight leg jeans are a modern classic. This pair sits on the waist and are cut to give a sleek flattering shape that's always in style. Added stretch gives the perfect fit

Rosina Footstool, at Marks & Spensers
H41 x W56 x D56cm Seat: H45cm (all dimensions are approximate) Cushion filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support 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 Solid birch feet with a medium finish 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 that fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Easycare Satin Check Short Sleeve Shirt, at Mark & Spencers
This easycare shirt has a smart and cool satin check design. Short sleeves will take the heat off in the summer

Finger Sandwich Selection, at Marks & Spencer
Contains 20 pieces Serves 4-6 5 different fillings Ready to eat As featured on page 8 of the Food to Order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 2 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Single Sprung-Edge Divan with 2 Large + 2 Small Drawers & M300 Mattress, at Marks & Spensers
Double mattress (4ft 6in): W135 x L190 cm King size mattress (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super king size mattress (6ft): W180 x L200cm Single divan (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double divan (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King size divan (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super king size divan (6ft): W180 x L200cm Mattress depth: 24cm Divan height: 41cm Large Drawer: 14 x 78 x 52cm Small Drawer: 14 x 40 x 52cm Mattress filling made from resilient foam and polyester fibre Mattress has reinforced side stitching giving greater edge support Individually pocketed springs Pocket sprung mattresses give a flexible feel Mattress spring count: 896 Can be used with any mattress All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected Mattress does not require turning All mattresses and divans are manufactured in the UK A sample mattress is subjected to 3 rigorous tests to ensure it remains comfortable. Surface fabric is rubbed 15,000 times against a hard surface to test resistance to wear. Mattress is pounded by a machine 80,000 times to replicate the movements of a human torso and subjected to 20,000 rolls of a roller machine to simulate the rolling motion of a sleeping person 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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

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