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 and Spencers 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 & Spencers, 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.

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

Besides Marks and Spencers Motor Insurance, M&S Money Direct Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Money Direct Home 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 Direct 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 and Spencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Money Direct Premier Home Insurance and Standard Home 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.

Post Surgery Modal Blend E-G Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Smooth and modern, this padded and underwired bra is made from soft microfibre fabric and gives a gently supportive fit and a flattering shape. It features 2 secure prosthesis pockets

Globe Table Lamp, at Mark & Spensers
Fabric cylinder shade Glass globe base H41 x D33cm Bulb: E37 1000W GLS ES 18W This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Pure Cotton Camouflage Shorts, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionably smart-casual, these pure cotton knee length shorts feature military designs. A practical, easycare style

Pure Cotton Check Pyjama Bottoms, at Marks & Spenser
Soft and comfortable, these cotton pyjama bottoms can be worn with a number of our pyjama tops and t-shirts to create your own style

Recycled Anti-Allergy Mattress Protector, at Marks & Spencers
Perfect for allergy sufferers, providing effective protection against dustmite allergies Proven protection wash after wash Endorsed by the British Allergy Foundation, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Silver Plated Faceted Catseye Drop Earrings, at Marks n Spencer
Hook fastening Drop style Facet catseye design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Autograph Canvas Strap Watch, at Marks and Spencers
Round face Date indicator Contrast stitching Canvas strap Analogue face

Funnel Neck Mid Length Coat, at Marks and Spencers
Smart and stylish, this wool blend coat makes a fashionable and practical choice

Silver Plated Barrel Snake Drop Earrings, at Marks and Spencers
3 strand design Barrel feature Butterfly fastening

2 Pure Cotton STAIN-AWAY™ Polo Shirts, at Marks and Spencer
A great value 2-pack treated with STAIN-AWAY™, our unique high performance finish which helps prevent everyday stains, and makes them easy to wash out clean. It even works with ink blots!

Cross Over Bodyshaper Swimsuit, at Mark's & Spencer
Fabulously fashionable, this stylish swimsuit shapes and smoothes your figure, giving you a flattering fit. Make a splash!

Cotton Rich Large Spot First Bra & Knickers Set, at M+S
This pretty spot print bra is designed for a supportive and comfortable fit. The non-wired design is the best choice for first bras

Autograph Pure Cashmere Polo Neck Jumper, at Marks and Spenser
Sophisticated and modern, this polo neck jumper is made from pure cashmere for the ultimate in luxuriously soft knitwear

Flat Front Crease Resistant Puppytooth Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Stay smarter for longer with these innovative crease resistant trousers

Die Cute Sneakers Nephew Birthday Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: Nephew, Happy birthday! 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. 175 x 127 mm

Faceted Button Clip-On Earrings, at Marks and Spenser
Clip-on fastening Faceted button design

Honey Tree Reserve Shiraz 2007 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Shiraz Country of origin: Australia Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 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

2 Piece Pure Cotton Multi Pocket Dungaree Outfit, at Marks and Spencer
Fun and practical, this cute 2-piece dungaree outfit features a multi pocket detail. It's made from soft cotton to keep him comfy.

String Shade with Diffuser, at M&S
String shade Large: H22 x Diam 45cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

4 Glass Floral Placemats, at Marks & Spencer
Pack of 4 Rectangle shape Floral design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

6 Stainless Steel Teaspoons, at Marks & Spenser
6-piece set 18/10 stainless steel - the highest grade of stainless steel This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Tonal Stripe Towel, at M&S
Tonal stripe design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

5 Big & Tall Authentic RealCool Cotton™ Plain Slips, at M+S
These slips are made with RealCool Cotton™ which combines natural cotton with moisture management technology. The innovative fabric draws moisture away from your skin for rapid evaporation to keep you fresh, dry and comfortable

Flat Front Crease Resistant Trousers, at Marks & Spencers
Stay smarter for longer with these innovative crease resistant trousers

Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Collection - European Cities, at Mark's & Spencer
Inspirational and informative, the second Mr & Mrs Smith book guides you to the sexiest, most stylish hotels in Europe, including romantic hideaways in Florence and Paris, and boutique retreats in Stockholm and Barcelona

Embroidered Raccoon Booties, at Marks & Spencers
Cute and comfy, these practical booties feature an embroidered racoon design. A soft stretchy cuff keeps them on securely

Maxim Wine Glass, at Marks and Spencer
Maxim style Coloured glass H21.5cm 36cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Gold Plated Sparkle Hoop Necklace & Earring Set, at Marks and Spencer
Butterfly stud fastening earrings Clasp fastening necklace with adjustable length Hoop and sparkle design

Gold Plated Mosaic Leaf necklace & Earrings Set, at Marks and Spenser
2 part set Hook fastening mosaic drop earrings Mosaic leaf pendant

Autograph Pure Linen Suit Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
Made from pure linen, these smart suit trousers are part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Money Direct. Not least of these is Mark & Spensers Standard Motor Insurance. With M&S Money Direct 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 Direct, 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 M+S Money, you get more, and you pay less.