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 Marks & 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 Car Insurance, M&S Property Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Besides Marks & Spenser Car Insurance, M&S Money Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Money Property Insurance deserves particular mention, with it being particularly good value for money, and providing extra insurance cover that many UK insurance companies either don't provide at all, or would charge extra for.

With M&S Money Premier Contents policy, for example, student's belongings are not only covered at home, but also at college or university. Additionally, dependent relatives are also covered if their belongings happen to be in a nursing home. Even better still, your Marks & Spencers purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Money Premier Property Insurance and Standard Property Insurance policies, you can choose to include Contents Away From Home. This option would then provide valuable cover all of your personal belongings on a worldwide basis.

M&S Money offers a variety of financial and insurance products, but Car Insurance is something that almost everyone needs - at least if you own a car. Unfortunately there are so many companies offering Car Insurance today that, after a while, one policy may begin to look much like the next.

Thinking that most Car 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 Car Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Car Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M&S Money Car Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Car 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 & Spencer 5 Star Premier cover Car Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Car Insurance plans from companies such as Direct Line, Sainsbury's, or Tesco Direct:

• 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 Car 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.

Cake Stand Mum Birthday Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: For you Mum Inside message: Happy birthday Approx size: 178 x 126mm

Cashmilon™ Polo Neck Knitted Jumper, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and flattering, this knitted jumper is made from supersoft cashmilon™ and features a polo neck.

Yellow Flower Seed Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover Text: If friends were flowers... then I'd pick you Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 174 x 126mm

5 Pairs of Cushioned Trainer Liners, at Marks and Spencer
These trainer liners are outstanding value! Cotton rich for comfort and durability, they feature a reinforced heel and toe for extra durability and stretch fabric to improve fit

Autograph Pure Cashmere V-Neck Jumper, at M & S
This luxurious v-neck jumper is made from pure cashmere for ultimate softness and comfort. Innovative construction helps it to be machine washable. Part of our exclusive Autograph collection

Long Length Cable Knit Cardigan & Pure Cotton Jersey Top, at Marks & Spenser
Modern and pretty, this long length cable knit cardigan and pure cotton spot print jersey top look fabulously fashionable worn together or separately

Autograph Leather Large Collar Trapeze Jacket, at Marks & Spencers
Beautifully designed and luxurious, this large collar trapeze jacket is made from real leather. A sophisticated, contemporary look

Artificial Chinese Lantern Flowers in Black Glass Vase, at M&S
Two stems wild artificial Chinese Lantern Black glass fluted vase Circular base H57cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Short Sleeve Thermal Vest, at Marks & Spencer
Soft, warm and cosy, this short sleeve thermal vest is designed to give comfy insulation, perfect for chilly weather

Easycare Long Sleeve Check Shirt, at Marks & Spenser
Smart and stylish, this easycare shirt makes a practical choice for everyday wear

First Readers Sleeping Beauty, at Marks&Spencer
Someone forgot to invite the wicked fairy to the princess's christening party. She is so cross that she puts a curse on the young princess. Who will wake the beautiful sleeping princess?

High Impact Crop Top, at Marks and Spencer
Ideal for active wear, this quick drying crop top is made from high-performance breathable stretch fabric and is designed in the latest style for a great fit and freedom to move. Moisture wicking ensures dampness is drawn away from the body

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Marks&Spencer
Relaxed and stylish, this stripe shirt is made from pure cotton so it feels soft and comfortable to wear

3 Pack Easycare Long Sleeve Shirts, at M&S
Woven in a no-fuss easycare fabric, long sleeves and double button cuffs add a smart focus to your office look. A practical and convenient choice for everyday wear

10 Print Your Own Graphic Heart RSVP Cards, at Marks & Spencer
Graphic heart design 10 cards, 1 design Inside message: Many thanks for your kind wedding invitation Would be pleased to accept/cannot accept The cards in this pack are made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests Approx size: 133 mm x 73 mm

125 Years Luxury Pure Wool Flat Front Trousers, at Marks and Spenser
Part of the Commemorative Collection, celebrating 125 years of M&S. Featuring smart styles inspired by our archives

Two Tone Oblong Face Watch, at Marks & Spencers
Oblong face Analogue Roman numerals Two tone Wind up mechanism Link strap Clasp fastening

Autograph New Cosmic Y Necklace Made with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements, at Marks and Spencer
Y design Gold plated Clasp fastening Adjustable length Made with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements Necklace length 41cm, extendable by 8cm

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

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

Autograph Wool Blend Pinstripe Suit Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Perfect for smart occasions, these classic pinstripe suit trousers make a fashionable and practical choice

Autograph Weekend Double Breasted Cardigan, at Marks & Spencers
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

Shark Jelly Sandals, at Mark's & Spencer
Contrast buckle fastening Shark motif Flat sole

Per Una Spot Print Dress, at Mark & Spencers
A gorgeous sleeveless spot print dress featuring frilled scoop neck

Stainless Steel Milk Jug, at Marks & Spencer
Stainless steel Single handle Pouring spout, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Collezione Leather Lace Up Brogue Shoes, at Marks and Spencers
Pointed toe Punch feature Stitch detail Lace-up Block heel

Total Support Floral Embroidered Non-Wired Bra, at M+S
Soft and comfortable, this non-wired bra gives all-round support and uplift with good coverage, extra wide straps and 3 hook-and-eye fasteners. It's secure but gentle and lightweight, an ideal choice for everyday wear

Autograph Exclusive 4 Piece Tuxedo Suit, 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

Metallic Glaze Soap Dispenser, at Marks and Spencer
Metallic glaze design Pump action, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Chrome Collection Tumbler, at Marks&Spencer
Chrome effect Cylinder design 10 x 6.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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