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's & Spencer, through its M+S Money 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 Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

M+S Money 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 Buildings 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 Buildings 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 Money Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

M+S Money 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 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 n Spencer 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 UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

2 Limited Collaction Cotton Rich Spot & Plain Shorts, at Marks & Spencer
Fabulous and modern, these shorts are part of our Limited Collection lingerie. They're made from soft stretch cotton and designed to fit and flatter. For a funky look, mix and match with coordinating lingerie from Limited. Casual, contemporary fashion

Hannah Montana Wrap Pack, at Marks and Spenser
2 sheets, 2 tags Each sheet: 495 mm x 695 mm

Yalumba Australian Shiraz 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Shiraz (Syrah) Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap 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

Collezione Luxury Leather Messenger Bag, at MarksandSpencer
Whether you're heading off to school, work or simply the beach, keep your essential items within easy reach with the functional, stylish design of this great day bag

Satin Stripe Evening Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
This luxury shirt is made from superior satin and cotton mix and is expertly designed for a stylish look and great fit. Its fine quality and careful attention to detail make it stand out as a modern classic. This exclusive product is only available in 10 stores and some colours are exclusively online

Drench Sponge, at Marks & Spencers
Contains 1 sponge

Pair of Rosemary Trees, at Marks and Spencers
This pair of herb trees will look stunning on a patio or doorstep and provide delicious flavours in cooking Available for delivery until 30th September 2009

Autograph Eyeshadow Brush, at M & S
Handmade Enables you to achieve a controlled light and even coverage

125 Years Stormwear™ Pure Cotton Trench Coat, at Marks & Spencers
Part of the Commemorative Collection. These exclusive garments have been inspired by some of the beautiful pieces in our archive and reference the iconic decades of the 20th century. Retro styling has been given a contemporary twist for the modern day

50/50 Panelled Bedset, at M & S
Panelled Single set includes duvet cover and 1 pillowcase Double set includes duvet cover and 2 pillowcases Kingsize set includes duvet cover and 2 pillowcases, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Beaded Capri Twist Necklace, at Marks & Spencers
Clasp fastening Chunky bead design Necklace length 45cm, extendable by 8cm

Autograph Bone China Cup & Saucer, at Marks & Spencers
Matching cup and saucer Plain Cup height: 7.5cm Saucer diameter: 16cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

M&S 1.5m HDMI Cable, at Mark & Spencers
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

Platinum Plated Sparkle Stud Earrings, at Marks & Spensers
Platinum plated Diamant detail Butterfly fastening For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

2 Spherical Top Bottle Stoppers, at Mark & Spencers
Pack of 2 Spherical top Ideal for sealing opened bottles, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Platinum Plated Sparkle Stud Earrings, at Marks & Spencer
Platinum plated Diamant detail Butterfly fastening For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Portland Large 2-Seater Sofa, at Marks and Spencer
H76 x W230 x D102cm Seat H52cm (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 Feet are castors 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 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 08457 624 624 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

Large Leather iPod Case, at Mark's & Spencer
Keep your iPod safe and stylish with this leather case. Compatible with all large iPod models, the case is made of genuine premium leather, which looks and feels great

Aguasanta Carmènere 2007 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Dry, medium bodied Grape variety: Carmnere Country of origin: Chile Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians and vegans 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

Autograph Multi Pocket Jacket, at Mark & Spensers
This sharply styled casual jacket gives a fashionable urban look. Superior fabric, a contemporary design and exceptional attention to detail make it a must have for this season

XBOX 360® Premium Bundle, at M&S
Includes Project Gotham Racing 3 and XBOX Live Arcade Unplugged 20GB hard drive Wireless controller Headset voice communicator 1 month free XBOX Live Gold subscription Component HD AV cable Video Camera Ready Memory unit support starting at 64 MB Supports 4 wireless game controllers Multichannel surround sound output HD digital and standard audio visual outputs Built in ethernet port Wi-Fi ready 3 USB slots Removable faceplate 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

Limited Collection Dogtooth Print Jumper, at Marks and Spencer
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

Liquid Concealer, at Mark & Spensers
Conceals dark circles and hides blemishes Hypo-allergenic 6ml

Autograph Leather Side Pocket Buckle Shopping Bag, at Marks & Spencer
Fashionable and practical, this luxurious leather shopping bag is a useful accessory with bags of style!

Little Baby Boy Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover Text: Little baby girl Inside Message: Wishing you lots of happiness with your new precious baby Approx Size: 150 x 150 mm

Per Una Short Sleeve Top with Silk, at Marks n Spencer
A fashionable short sleeved top in luxurious silk mix fabric featuring a tie neck design

The Aristocats Special Edition DVD, at Marks and Spencer
Rating Universal, suitable for all,

Younger Boys' Football Boot Slippers, at M+S
Round toe Embroidered detail Riptape fastening Flat sole

100 Cotton Balls, at Mark's & Spencer
Pack of 100

Dinosaur Sticker Book, at MarksandSpencer
Dinosaur sticker book is packed with facts about the first fish, meat-eating monsters, woolly mammoths, early humans and much, much more. With sticker activities throughout and glow-in-the-dark dinosaur shapes to decorate your room, this book is the perfect way to learn about the creatures who lived on earth millions of years ago

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

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