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 Mark's & Spencer, 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 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.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Financial Services. Not least of these is Marks and Spencer Standard Motor Insurance. With M&S Financial Services 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 M&S Financial Services, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Motor Insurance policies on offer from Mark & Spensers, 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 Money, you get more, and you pay less.

M&S Financial Services 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, M&S Financial Services Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

Burra Brook Shiraz 2007 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spensers
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Shiraz Country of origin: Australia Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 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

Cupcakes, at Marks and Spencer
You may remember the butterfly cakes we all had at parties all those years ago - but they are nothing at all like these cupcakes: simple little cakes to make and bake, but with over 50 fantastic ideas for decorating and personalising each batch of cakes. Just perfect to serve to friends, after dinner, or to keep in your cupboard for that sensational moment with tea and a chat

Pure Silk Layered Border Cushion, at Mark & Spensers
Rectangular shape Layered contrast border design Lined, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Classic Collection Pure Cotton Stripe Insert Top, at Marks&Spencer
Modern and stylish, this versatile top is made from soft easycare fabric and features a stripe design. A fashionable style with a comfortable, flattering fit

4 Maxim Short Tumblers, at Marks and Spenser
Pack of 4 H8.5cm 30cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

All Seasons 13.5 Tog Pure Duck Down Duvet, at Marks n Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Twisted Glass Table Lamp, at Marks and Spenser
Rectangular fabric shade Twisted glass stem 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

North Coast Straight Leg Jeans, at Marks n Spencer
Relaxed and casual, these jeans are made from soft cotton. Added stretch keeps them in great shape and gives added comfort and ease of movement

In Bloom Lime Blossom & Bergamot Moisture Rich Body Wash, at Marks and Spencer
Body wash Mositurising Lime blosson and bergamot fragrance 225ml This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Ceriso French Maid Stripe Bikini Briefs, at Marks & Spencers
Fab and funky, these modern bikinis feature stripe print and a rose detail and lace trim. The low rise style gives a flattering, shapely fit, perfect for wearing with hipsters. Designed for women who want the latest look

Pure Cotton Belted Straight Leg Jeans, at Marks and Spenser
These straight leg jeans in pure cotton are great value. A practical, easycare style

Limited Collection Frill front Blouse with Silk, at Marks and Spencers
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel

Per Una Linen Blend Water Repellent Mac, at Marks & Spencers
A smart single breasted mac in cool linen blend fabric, featuring a water repellent coating and concealed button fastening

2 Younger Girls' Spot & Cat Print Nightdresses, at Marks and Spencer
Cute and comfy, this pack of 2 nightdresses feature a spot print and a cat motif

Blue Harbour Real Cool & Fresh Pure Cotton Short Sleeve T-Shirt, at M+S
Stay cool this summer with this innovative t-shirt. It's made from natural cotton with moisture absorbing technology. The fabric draws moisture away from your skin for rapid evaporation, leaving you fresh and dry

Soft Vanilla Infusion Sticks, at M+S
Glass container Long lasting infusion sticks Vanilla scented, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Quilted Coat with Belt, at Marks and Spencers
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel.

Louis Chaurey Champagne - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork 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

Per Una Forest Stripe Tankini Briefs, at Mark's & Spencer
Striking high rise tankini briefs featuring a stripe design and high leg. Make a splash!

Pure Cotton 'Check Me Out' Mock Layer T-Shirt, at M+S
Soft and comfy, this pure cotton t-shirt is outstanding value. It features a mock layer design and 'Check Me Out' slogan. Fashionable and practical

25 Lotus Flower Room Scenters, at Mark & Spensers
Pack of 25 Lotus flower scented Burns upto 4 hours each, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Suede Tramline Shoes, at M&S
Square toe Tramline feature Stitch detail Lace up Flat

Pure Cotton Multiple Pocket Jeans, at MarksandSpencer
Fashionable and practical, these cotton jeans are hardwearing and comfy. The 'sheriff' motif gives a cute look

Per Una Knitted Tassel Scarf, at Marks and Spencer
Keep out the chills in fashionable style with this warm soft scarf in a modern chunky multicoloured knit.

Autograph 3/4 Length Sleeve Ombre Print Top, at MarksandSpencer
Part of Autograph's Luxe Tradition trend. Luxurious and contemporary with a sense of British heritage, this trend features a soft colour palette, modern prints and beautiful fabrics. A sophisticated look for the new season

Cracked Shell Heart Necklace, at Marks & Spensers
Multi-strand design Cracked shell heart design Adjustable length Clasp fastening Necklace length 43cm, extendable by 7cm

Autograph Pure Silk Pillowcase, at Marks & Spencers
Plain, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Styled Scratchy Spot High Leg Knickers, at Marks and Spencers
Glamorous and sophisticated these flattering briefs feature scratchy spot print. The modern low rise, high leg styling gives a flattering shapely fit. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

5 Pairs of Younger Girls' Sparkle Stripe Socks, at Marks and Spencers
Stock up on stylish essentials with this pack of 5 sparkle detail socks

Heart Mesh Lace Trim Hipster Knickers, at Mark's & Spencer
Pretty and feminine, these hipster briefs are extremely comfortable to wear and give good coverage at the front and back

When you're shopping at Marks and 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 M&S Financial Services. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Home Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks & Spensers than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from M&S Financial Services. 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 M&S Financial Services, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Financial Services 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."