There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Money Direct. Not least of these is Marks and Spencers Standard Car Insurance. With M&S Money Direct 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 Money Direct, 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 M&S Money, you get more, and you pay less.

Shopping for financial products at M&S Money Direct UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Mark's & Spencer online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the M&S Money Direct website:

• M&S Insurance: M&S Car Insurance, M&S Home Insurance, M&S Life Insurance, M&S Wedding Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance
• M&S Credit Cards: M&S Credit Card, M&S Premium Club Card
• M&S Loans: M&S Car Buying Plan, M&S Personal Loans
• M&S Money: M&S Travel Money for your trips abroad
• M&S Savings: M&S Everyday Savings Account, M&S Fixed Rate Savings, M&S Stocks & Shares ISA, M&S Cash ISA, M&S Unit Trust

Of course, many of these types of product can be purchased elsewhere too; however, once you begin to take a closer look at the products from Mark & Spencers, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

And, just as importantly, contacting M&S Money Direct in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the M&S Money Direct website.

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 & Spensers are so useful. M&S Money Direct financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks and Spencer 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, Home Insurance policies. Usually, UK Home 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 Money Direct Home 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 Money Direct Home Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Ridged Waisted Glass Vase, at Marks & Spenser
Handmade Ridged design 2.4kg H35 x Diam 15cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pink Sketchy Flowers Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Happy birthday Inside message: Have a lovely day Approx size: 174 x 126mm

The Kingdom Blu-ray DVD, at Marks n Spencer
Rating Suitable for 15 years and over,

The Mini Crossword Puzzle Book, at Marks and Spencer
There is probably no more satisfying a puzzle to solve than a crossword. Whether you have five minutes or five hours to spare, this superb collection of puzzles will challenge and entertain

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Polo Shirt, at Mark & Spencers
A stylish smart-casual look, this short sleeve polo shirt in pure cotton features contrast stitching. Practical, comfortable and easycare

2 Pairs of Matt Hold Ups, at Marks & Spensers
Treat your legs to a sleek delight with the smooth finish of these comfortable hold ups. A practical, reinforced design means they're tough enough to last through wear after wear

Clocktower Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc Country of origin: New Zealand 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

Diamanté Square Photo Frame 6 x 6cm (2 x 2"), at Marks & Spensers
Square design Aperture 2 x 2in H6 x W6cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Barton 2-Seater Sofa, at M & S
H90 x W158 x D90cm Seat H51cm (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 Fabric options feature reversible cushions 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 Includes 2 matching fibre scatter cushions Feet are castors with antique-brass effect finish All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence™ - 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 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

Medium Floral Reel Vase, at Marks & Spencers
Wide open spout Broad base Floral leaf design Hand cut Dimensions: 19.5 x 19.5 x 28cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Hanging Star Congratulations Card, at Marks n Spencer
Cover text: Congratulations Inside message: blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm

TomTom GO 540 Live Satellite Navigation System with LIVE Services, at Marks and Spencer
Access TomTom LIVE services A real-time connection to the latest traffic information straight to your device. Automatic updates also provide real-time safety camera alerts, fuel prices, weather, and Google search for local shops and businesses. Updates are sent directly to the SIM card of your TomTom device - no need to activate anything or connect a mobile phone Maps: Full door to door maps of the UK & ROI are pre-loaded Display: 4.3" widescreen 16:9 format LCD (WQVGA: 480 x 272 pixels) LIVE Services: Your navigation experience got even smarter! You are connected to real-time information with premium services like HD Traffic, Safety Alerts, Local Search with Google and Fuel Prices so you always have access to useful and relevant information en route IQ Routes™ technology: Calculates your routes based on the real average speeds measured on roads. This will always provide you with the smartest route hour-by-hour, day-by-day, saving you time, money and fuel Voice command and control The latest in speech recognition technology lets you control your TomTom GO using voice commands. From planning a route to making a call, over 100 tasks are easily activated by voice, making your drive smoother and safe TomTom Map Share™ technology: Make corrections to your own map and benefit from thousands of corrections made by TomTom users every day - free of charge Latest map guarantee: Your device houses our best maps and our latest map guarantee makes you right up to date. If we release a new version of your device's map within 30 days of your purchase, you can download that map for free via TomTom HOME Active Dock: Gives you easy docking and charging to optimise your TomTom GO for daily use Plug & Go: No installation needed, works straight out of the box Battery: High quality lithium-polymer battery giving upto 3 hours autonomous battery life Sound: Echo cancellation and noise reduction give you excellent sound quality when calling hands-free. The high quality speaker Get voice instructions and enjoy songs and hands-free phone calls with remarkable sound quality at the volume that you want Extra Features: QuickGPSfix™, TomTom HOME desktop software, Bluetooth remote control (optional), 1GB internal flash memory and a microSD card socket compatible with microSD cards Dimensions: W127 x H85 x D23mm Weight: 224g 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 Please note: TomTom LIVE Services is a subscription service. A free 3 month trial is included TomTom Ticket 2 Drive savings when you purchase this product before 30th September 2009. Click here for more information

Portfolio Gathered Detail Metallic Mac with Belt, at Marks & Spencer
Part of Portfolio's Mimosa trend. A beautifully elegant look featuring chic, muted tones such as cocoa, mink, saffron and purple. Striking prints are key to this feminine trend

Giant Book Of Cool Stuff, at MarksandSpencer
This book will keep them busy as they look for over 1000 jokes, facts, activities, and more cool stuff

5 Luxury Multi Stripe Handkerchiefs, at Mark & Spencers
Luxuriously soft handkerchiefs in pure cotton

Woodspice Roll On Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, at Marks and Spencer
Woodspice aroma Anti-perspirant 50ml

Limited Collection Sleeveless Pintuck Top, at Mark & Spencers
Part of Limited Collection's LA Love trend. Feminine, soft and laid back, this is a fashionable LA look with a boho vibe. Beautiful fabrics and playful prints are key

Pure Woven Silk Stripe Tie, at Marks and Spencers
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this smart stripe tie in pure silk

100 Cotton Balls, at Marks & Spencer
Pack of 100

Collezione Supima® Pure Cotton Textured Fine Stripe Shirt, at Mark & Spencers
Italian style is renowned for its attention to detail. Each collezione piece is designed with that same passion, using the finest fabrics and best tailoring techniques. Inspired by Italian flair, we've lavished time and care on this shirt to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

Firm Control Smooth Magic Waist & Thigh Cincher, at Marks & Spencer
These thigh slimmers work like magic with with targeted control areas to shape you where you need it most. They gently flatten tummies, smooth hips and lift bottoms for a flattering, shapely look. They're comfortable, breathable and easy to move in and a special finish keeps you cool and dry

Single Stainless Steel Egg Poacher, at Marks & Spencer
Adjustable spine Rear hook Steam holes, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Stripe Top, at Marks and Spenser
Smart and stylish, this 3/4 length top is made from cool comfortable cotton and features a stripe design

North Coast Pure Cotton Marl Stripe Polo Shirt, at Marks&Spencer
Stylishly smart casual, this polo shirt is made from pure cotton so it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Collection - European Cities, at Marks and Spencers
Inspirational and informative, the second Mr & Mrs Smith book guides you to the sexiest, most stylish hotels in Europe, including romantic hideaways in Florence and Paris, and boutique retreats in Stockholm and Barcelona

Cowhide Rug, at Marks and Spencers
Cowhide print Irregular shape, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Cotton Rich Plus Firm Control Low Leg Briefs, at Marks and Spencers
The perfect choice for providing you with essential everyday confidence! Firm control creates a more streamlined silhouette while a low leg ensures these comfy knickers sit perfectly on the form

Classic Collection Floral Print Sleeveless Dress, at Marks & Spencer
Pretty and feminine this lovely dress is made from soft floral print fabric. A fashionable style with a comfortable, flattering fit

John Barrowman - Music Music Music CD, at Marks and Spencers
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Charlotte Footstool, at Marks and Spenser
H39 x W56 x D48cm (all dimensions are approximate) Top 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 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 Feet are castors 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

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 M & S 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 M&S Money Direct website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Car 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.