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 Finance. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings & Contents Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks & Spencer 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."

M&S Finance 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 Car 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; Car Insurance and Buildings & Contents 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 & Contents 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 Finance Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

Besides Marks and Spencer Car Insurance, M&S Finance Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Finance Buildings & Contents 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 Finance 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 & Spensers purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Finance Premier Buildings & Contents Insurance and Standard Buildings & Contents 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.

Autograph Zip Pocket Overnight Bag, at Marks and Spencers
Luxurious and beautiful, this plain print handbag is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. It's zipped pockets make handy compartments useful and practical as well as being a highly desirable fashion accessory

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Check Bib Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
This fashionable short sleeve shirt is made from super soft fabric that looks and feels great. Check bib details gives it a cool contemporary edge

Digital Food Preparation Scales, at Marks and Spencer
Modern design Electric powered Free standing Digital, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Blue Energy Deodorising Body Spray, at Marks and Spencer
150ml spray This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Autograph Lace Multiway Body, at Marks & Spencers
Look sleeker in seconds! This light control body gives gentle, comfortable all over shaping. The cups are based on our best-selling t-shirts bras for a smooth no-show look under clothes

Fresh Fruit Platter with Extra Thick Channel Island Double Cream, at Marks & Spensers
Serves 8 Ready to eat Suitable for nut allergy sufferers Cream: 227ml Fruit: 745g As featured on page 53 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Purple Stone Frame Reading Glasses, at Marks&Spencer
Rectangle lens Purple stone frame For near vision and reading use only Not suitable for persons under 16 years of age Marks and Spencer reading glasses conform to British Standard BS: EN 14 139:2002

Double Twisted Stick Drop Earrings, at Mark's & Spencer
Hook fastening Twisted design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Blue Harbour Short Sleeve Check Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Stylishly smart casual, this comfortable check shirt looks great dressed up or down

Formula Age Repair 4 in 1 Cleansing Wipes, at Marks & Spencer
Enriched with ceramides to replenish and repair your skin Enriched with amino acids to improve radiance Formulated to cleanse, moisturise and refresh without irritating or drying out your skin Suitable for all skin types Hypoallergenic Contains 25 wipes

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Wales Hooded Top, at Marks and Spencer
Sports fans will love this cosy pure cotton hooded top featuring the cymru motif. A practical, easycare style

Fresh Rose Scented Spheres, at M&S
Assorted decorative fragranced spheres Pot pourri Bag size: 27cm approx height Weight: 250gms approx, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Red Classic Rose Cake, at M+S
36 portions Fruit Cake: Made with vine fruits, nuts and cherries laced with brandy. Cake weight is 2.7kg. Can be eaten up to 14 days after collection Sponge Cake: All-butter sponge filled with buttercream and raspberry jam. Cake weights 1.7kg. Can be eaten up to 5 days after collection Cake size: 20.5cm square Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers Suitable for vegetarians Comes in a box suitable for storing the cake before serving As featured on page 68 of the Food to Order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 7 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

2 Underwired Plain T-Shirt Bras, at Mark's & Spencer
Feminine and pretty, these underwired plunge bras are outstanding value

Per Una Button Long Sleeve Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
A beautiful long sleeve blouse in pure soft cotton featuring an open neck design and button detail

Halterneck Mini Spot Swimsuit, at M & S
Stunningly stylish, this flattering swimsuit is designed in the latest shape. The ultimate in poolside glamour

Pure Cotton Floral Embroidered Lace Trim Cushion, at MarksandSpencer
Rectangular shape Embroidered flower design Lace trim detail Dimensions: H30 x L40cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Baby Girls' Owl Motif Pram Shoes, at Marks & Spenser
Round toe Owl motif Slip on Elasticated back Flat sole

Perfect 60 Denier Opaque Tights, at MarksandSpencer
Bold, colourful opaques are the perfect way to give any outfit this season's look. Pick up your pair today

Younger Boys' Cotton Rich Night Flight Pyjamas, at Mark & Spencers
Soft and comfy, these pure cotton pyjamas are outstanding value

Glow Bead Drop Earrings, at Marks and Spenser
Drop style Hook fastening Mixed beads

Autograph Tile Cushion with Silk, at Marks and Spenser
Rectangular shape Tile pattern Stitch detail Lined, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Check Top with Necklace, at Marks & Spencers
A check design adds a pretty touch to this pure soft cotton top

Life Begins at 40 Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: Life begins at 40 Inside message: Have a great birthday! Approx size: 215 x 150mm

8-Piece Dessert Knife & Fork Set, at Mark's & Spencer
8 pieces 18/10 stainless steel 4 settings Criminal Justice Act 1988 (as amended): please note we are not permitted to sell a knife or blade to any person under the age of 18 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Long Sleeve Snake Print Blouse, at Marks and Spencer
This fab long sleeve blouse features a stunning snake print design. A vibrant new look, perfect for this season

Handcrafted Photographic Anthony Bear Valentine Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Be my Valentine Inside message: Guess who? This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: Unfolded: 230 x 114 mm

Floral Bursa throw, at Mark's & Spencer
Floral design Fringed edges, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Handcrafted Diamante Words Valentine Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover Text: I LOVE YOU 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 Approx size: 150 x 150mm

DeLonghi Icona Toaster - Scarlet Red, at Marks & Spenser
Power 1.8kW 4 slice toaster Electronic controls: reheat, defrost, bagel and cancel 2 toasting slots operate independently All functions with neon indicator Hi-rise facility - extra 20mm lift for removing toast Variable browning controls Extra deep crumb tray Non-slip feet This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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 Spencer 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 Car 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.