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

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 Mark & Spensers are so useful. M&S Money Direct financial products are, of course, designed to make M&S 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.

Shopping for financial products at M&S Money Direct UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks and 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 Motor 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 Marks and 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.

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Ombre Check Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
Smart casual style for less! This pure cotton shirt is outstanding value

Buckle Front Slip On Mules, at Marks and Spencers
Buckle feature Flat sole Single strap

Autograph Weekened Cotton Rich Floral Top with Silk, at Marks & Spenser
Part of Autograph Weekend's Sloane trend. Casual yet sophisticated, this is weekend dressing at its most stylish. Featuring a cool colour palette of crisp navy, neutrals and red, this is an effortlessly chic look for the new season

125 Years Gift Card, at Marks n Spencer
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

Criss Cross Sunglasses, at Marks and Spencer
These elegantly understated sunglasses will never go out of style. A fabulously versatile summer essential

Cotton Rich Low Rise Star Print Bikini Knickers, at Mark's & Spencer
Fun and flirty, these cute star print bikini briefs sit low on the waist - perfect for wearing under hipsters. They're cut away at the front and sides and cover the bottom for a comfortable and flattering fit

Sony PSP™ LEGO® Indiana Jones™ The Original Adventures Game, at Marks and Spencer
Suitable for all ages Be Indiana Jones: Re-live his epic adventures in a humorous LEGO world based on the original trilogy of movies Explore and discover: Journey from the jungles of South America to the snowy mountaintops of India, all in search of ancient and powerful artefacts that you will use to solve puzzles Whip it! Use Indy's signature weapon to capture and disarm enemies, swing across gaps, activate levers, and interact with a world of LEGO objects and puzzles Pick your character: Choose from over 60 playable characters, each with a variety of unique abilities that you will use to help solve puzzles and battle enemies. Plus, play the villains and supporting characters 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 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 *Must be returned with the tamper seal intact for full refund, Platforms: Sony PSP, ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults

Per Una Lace Body Jersey Top with Camisole, at Marks and Spencer
A gorgeous lace body jersey top with camisole featuring embroidered neckline trim and three button detail

Klara's Cat Engagement Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Engaged Inside message: Congratulations Approx size: 175 x 125mm

Autograph Linen Blend Shirt & Cargo Shorts Outfit, at Marks and Spencer
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

Mini Limited Floral Print Dress and Leggings outfit, at Marks and Spencer
Mini Limited is a collection of cute fun styles designed in the latest looks. The casual, contemporary pieces are comfortable, easy to wear and perfect for layering

Stainless Steel Avocado Slicer, at Marks and Spenser
Looped handle for hanging storage L21cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pot Pourri Bag, at Marks & Spencer
Scented Decorative, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

5 Pure Cotton Scalloped Trim Thongs, at Marks & Spenser
Perfect for wearing under tight-fitting clothing, this fashionable thong won't give you any visible panty lines. It's comfortable and flattering, and the low rise style is ideal for wearing under hipsters

Handheld Parmesan Grater, at Marks n Spencer
Grip handle Wide plate L23.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Portobello Shoulder Bag, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionable and fabulous, this colourful handbag is designed in one of this season's key shapes. It's strong and practical as well as a trend-conscious accessory. Get the latest look!

Autograph Titanium Golf Umbrella, at Marks & Spenser
Don't let sudden downpours ruin that perfect game, this large titanium umbrella provides ample protection from the elements

Draping Wisteria Embroidered Cushion, at Marks and Spencer
Rectangular shape Floral embroidery, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Lavender Moisturising Hand & Nail Cream, at Marks & Spencers
Moisturising Lavender fragrance 100 ml Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Petrolatum, Lavandula Angustifolia(Lavender), Polysorbate 60, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Parfum, Coumarin, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Disodium EDTA, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Triethanolamine, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben

Cotton Rich Round Neck T-Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
This longer length short sleeved t-shirt will make a useful addition to your wardrobe. Great for layering or wearing on its own

Acapulco Drop Earrings, at Marks & Spencer
Drop style Hook fastening Acapulco detail

Embroidered Lace Non-Wired Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Feminine and pretty, this non-wired bra is structured for secure support and an enhanced natural shape. Ideal for everyday wear

Handcrafted Spots & Floral Mother's Day Card, at Marks and Spenser
Cover text: Mum Inside message: With lots of love on Mother's Day Approx size: Unfolded: 150 x 150mm

Silver Plated Etched Heart Bangles, at Marks&Spencer
Etched detail on heart 3 bangles linked with charms Gift boxed

Catch Mitts, at Mark & Spencers
2 gigantic catch mitts 1 ball Carry case Colourful design For outdoor use This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Seville Salt Mill, at Marks & Spenser
Acylic and brushed chrome design Fitted with a durable mechanism Fully adjustable mechanism from fine to coarse grinds just tighten or loosen the knob Lifetime guarantee Comes filled with Salt Approx size: L5.5 x W5.5 x H14cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Floral Fine Art Multipack of Mini Cards, at Marks and Spencer
8 cards, 4 designs Cover text: All cards are blank Inside message: blank for your own message This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 95 x 80mm

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

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

Pure Cotton Lightweight Flap Pocket Chinos, at Marks & Spenser
A great smart casual look for summer, these flap pocket chinos are made from soft cotton and offer a comfortable, relaxed fit

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 and Spenser 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, Sainsbury's, or Tesco:

• 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.