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 & Spensers 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 Finance website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Motor 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.

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

• M&S Insurance: M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Buildings & Contents 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 Spencer, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

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

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Finance. Not least of these is Mark's & Spencer Standard Motor Insurance. With M&S Finance 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 Finance, which also has other features.

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

2 Pairs of Older Girls' Cotton Rich Plain Long Socks, at Marks and Spenser
Ideal for school, these soft cotton rich socks make a comfortable, practical choice

Autograph Reversible Leather Belt, at Marks and Spencer
Add a smart finishing touch with this leather belt

Luxury Pure Wool Tweed Single Breasted 2 Button Jacket, at M+S
Beautifully designed, made from superior fabric and finished with careful attention to detail, this 2 button tweed jacket is exceptionally stylish and luxurious

M&S High Gloss Black Flat Panel TV Stand up to 52'', at Mark's & Spencer
Supports flat panel LCD and plasma TVs up to 52" Clear, tempered safety glass shelves Fits up to 4 audio video components and a center channel speaker Includes a cable management system to hide wires and interconnect cables Metallic black finish Scratch resistant, powder-coated steel framing Top shelf weight capacity: 56.7kg Lower shelves weight capacity: 22.7kg Overall dimensions: H61 x W127 x D53.3cm Top shelf dimensions: W127 x D40.6cm Middle shelf dimensions: H25.4 x W106.7 x D38.1cm Lower shelf dimensions: W106.7 x D45.7cm Boxed delivery - self-assembly required This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Cars DVD, at Marks & Spenser
Rating Universal, suitable for all,

Multi Strand Twist Necklace, at Marks and Spencer
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Multi strand style Twist design Assorted beads Necklace length 49cm, extendable by 8cm

Artificial Exotic Argumentum & Vase, at Marks & Spencer
Artificial exotic argumentum with short stem Presented in clear and frosted glass Square vase Stone effect Diameter: 51cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Moulded Lace Multiway Bra, at Marks and Spenser
This versatile bra can be worn 5 ways: conventionally, halterneck, cross back, strapless and one shoulder. Designed for a comfortable flattering fit, secure support and great flexibility

Blossom Tree Embroidered Quilt, at Marks & Spenser
L150 x W200cm Quilted Embroidered blossom tree design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Classic Underwired Built-Up Shoulder Bra, at Marks & Spencer
A lovely addition to your day to day underwear drawer. This versatile bra combines the shaping and support of underwiring and adjustable straps with the convenient comfort of an easy to care for design

Big & Tall Flat Front Ribbed Trousers, at Marks & Spencer
The perfect choice for colder days, these smart trousers are made from warm, hardwearing fabric. Perfectly proportioned for big and tall men

Per Una Linen Blend Bootleg Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Come with belt shown A sophisticated pair of bootleg trousers in pure cool linen. A weave belt makes them extra stylish

Adored Comfort All Over Lace Non-Padded E-G Bra, at Marks & Spencers
This non-padded bra is made from the softest fabric, embroidery and lace, so it's blissfully comfortable to wear. It's underwired and structured to give fuller busts great support and a natural uplifted shape

Sonoma Dark Coffee Table, at M & S
H45 x L136 x W50cm Glass shelves are made from safety-tested toughened glass Made from solid oak and oak veneer Features natural wood characteristics - knots, figuring, colour variation and end-grain detail Finished with a rich dark stain, followed by 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Side panels and back panels made from White Oak veneer Top panels made from White Oak veneer with a solid Oak edging for strength Shelves made from White Oak veneer Legs made from solid hardwood 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. 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. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Crossover Mules, at Marks and Spencers
Round toe Flat

Post Surgery Adored Embroidered Bra, at Marks n Spencer
Pretty and feminine, this non-padded floral embroidered bra is made from soft microfibre fabric and gives a gently supportive fit and a flattering shape. It features 2 secure prosthesis pockets

Collezione Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Marks & 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

Brow Bar Sunglasses, at Marks & Spencer
With full UV protection and a flattering modern design, these smart sunglasses will see you through the summer in style

Blue Night Shiraz Cabernet 2007 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz Country of origin: Australia Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle:10.9 Alcohol units per 125ml:1.9 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Perfect Autograph Essentials Sheer Lace Floral Shorts, at Marks&Spencer
These pretty pieces are perfect for everyday wear, but so feminine that you'll always feel special

Dualit Hand Mixer - Chrome, at M+S
300 watt heavy duty professional motor 5 speed settings Chrome mark-resistant finish, with Soft Touch easy grip handle Includes 2 multi-purpose oversize flat beaters, 2 dough hooks and 1 balloon whisk Unique retractable power cord storage Integral plug storage Beater ejector unit Weight: 1.3kg Dimensions: H30 x W20 x D9.5cm 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

Footglove™ Widefit Leather Toepost Flip Flops, at Marks and Spencer
Flat sole Stitch detail Thong style Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Cute Hedgehog Micromechanics Mother's Day Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Happy mother's day Inside message: Just for you Approx size: Unfolded: 150 x 150mm

Pure Cotton Vest & Shorts Sets, at Marks and Spencer
Practical and fashionable, this 8 pack of vests and shorts makes a great way to stock up on essential style

T397799, at Marks & Spencers
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Puzz-Doku 150 Piece Jigsaw, at Marks and Spencer
Number of jigsaw pieces: 150 Approx. size of completed puzzle: 300 x 210mm This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Montreal 2-Seater Sofa, at Marks & Spencer
H94 x W198 x D104cm Seat H44cm, arm 63cm, top back rail 70cm (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 seat 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 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

Special Dad Gift Card, at Marks and Spenser
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

3 Cosmetic Sponges, at Marks n Spencer
Pack of 3 Butterfly design Contains latex

Collezione Pure Wool Single Pleat Trousers, at Marks & Spencer
Italian tailoring is renowned for its sophisticated style. 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 these trousers to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

When you're shopping at Marks & Spenser 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 Finance. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings & Contents Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks and Spencers than you might imagine.

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