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 & 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 and Spenser, through its Marks & Spencers 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 Property Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Marks & Spencers 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 Property 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 Property 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, Marks & Spencers Money Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

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

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

5 Pairs of Knee Length Socks, at M & S
Perfect for the school year ahead, these knee length socks are oh so smart. The elastane ribbed tops ensure they'll stay up all day

Silver Plated Catseye Goblet Drop Earrings, at Mark's & Spencer
Drop style Hook fastening This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Autograph Occasions Jaquard Wedding Dress & Bolero Set, at Marks and Spencer
Feminine and elegant, this 2 piece wedding dress and bolero set is beautifully designed and detailed with an embroidered jaquard design. An exclusive, luxurious look from Autograph for your wedding day

Easycare Short Sleeve Check Shirt, at M&S
This comfortable shirt is so easy to care for; it can be washed and worn regularly while keeping a pristine appearance

Detroit Nest of Tables, at Marks & Spencer
H55 x W56 x D56cm (largest table) Made from White Oak solids and veneers Finished with 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of mid sheen Solid oak legs 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 manufacturer's instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Maxim Champagne Flute, at Marks and Spencers
Tinted glass Slim stem H23cm 18cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Philips HP6517 Satinelle Ice Premium Epilator, at Marks & Spencers
Premium ice cooler with pivoting head: The patented ice cooler soothes the skin reducing the unpleasant feeling of epilation. Its pivoting head follows every curve of your body for optimal cooling and less pain Sonic massage with aloe vera: Tenderly stimulates the skin reducing the pulling sensation to a minimum and making the whole epilation process more comfortable Curved epilation head: Catches hairs as short as half a millimetre; you don't have to wait until the hair has fully grown before epilating again Rechargeable: The epilator is rechargeable enabling cordless usage so you can epilate everywhere Unique ceramic epilation system: 20% faster and more efficient Washable epilation head for extra hygiene and easy cleaning Accessories: extra shaving head, extra sensitive area cap, insulation sleeve, peeling glove and luxury storage pouch

Baby Bunny Stripe Flat Sheet, at Marks & Spencers
Stripe design Baby bunny motif Wide Trim Pure Cotton, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Romantic Pearl Cake, at Mark's & Spencer
Serves 144 Three tier set of cakes: Small diam 15cm; Medium diam 20cm; Large diam 25cm; Total height 27.9cm Fruit cake : Vine fruits, nuts and cherries laced with brandy. Cake weight: 9.8kg. Fruitcakes can be eaten up to 14 days after collection Chocolate cake: A rich chocolate cake filled with with chocolate ganache. Cake weight: 5.6kg. Chocolate cakes can be eaten up to 5 days after collection Sponge cake: All-butter sponge filled with buttercream. Cake weight: 5.6kg. Sponge cakes can be eaten up to 5 days after collection Combination cake: Large fruit cake, medium sponge cake and small chocolate cake. Total cake weight 7.7kg Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers As featured on page 57 of the Food to Order brochure Flowers not included Order by 5pm to collect in 21 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores Each tier of our wedding cakes has a base board, to support the use of pillars for presentation

Daughter Photo Kitten Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Happy birthday to a purr-fect daughter Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future

Autograph Milan Glass Shelf, at Marks & Spenser
Wall mounted H7 x W45.6 x D7cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Total Support Floral Embroidered Non-Wired Bra, at Mark & Spensers
Soft and comfortable, this non-wired 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

3 Pure Cotton Textured Hand Towels, at Marks & Spencer
Pack of 3 Textured design Assorted colours, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Exclusive Rainbow Stripe Bandeau Bikini Top, at Marks and Spencers
Luxurious and exclusive, this glamorous bikini top is beautifully designed in a flattering, fashionable silhouette for the ultimate in style. It's made from soft, comfortable fabric and finished with careful attention to detail

Bold Stripe Halterneck Tankini Top, at Marks & Spenser
Delicate and pretty, this flattering tankini top is designed in the latest shape. The bold stripes make it even more stylish

Push-Up Lace Padded Balcony Bra, at Marks and Spenser
Soft and comfortable, this padded bra is ideal for everyday wear. Underwiring and padding give an uplifted and enhanced natural shape

Limited Collection Sparkle Skinny Belt, at Mark & Spencers
Show off curves and cinch in your waist with this skinny belt with bead detailing for an on-trend look for day or night

Handcrafted Laser Cut Fairy Cakes Mother's Day Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: For my Gorgeous Mum Inside message: On Mother's Day Approx size: 178 x 126mm

Per Una Floral Print Frill Blouse, at M & S
An elegant short sleeve blouse in a soft cotton blend. Frill detail gives it the Per Una touch

Long Sleeve Dobby Stripe Blouse, at Marks&Spencer
This fab long sleeve shirt features a stunning dobby stripe design. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season

Autograph Pure Cotton Floral Print Shirt, at Marks&Spencer
Feminine and elegant, this sophisticated shirt is beautifully designed and cut for a flattering shape and features a stunning floral print

Animal Alphabet Stickers, at Marks & Spencer
75 assorted stickers Animal shapes

White Pearl Damask Wedding Guest Book, at Marks n Spencer
Pack contains: Wedding guest book and gift box Approx size: Guest book: 210 x 290mm, Gift box: 225 x 305mm

Nintendo DS™i Console - White, at Marks and Spencer
Packed with features and thinner than ever: 12% thinner than the Nintendo DS Lite with a bigger, brighter 3.25" screen Two 0.3 megapixel cameras, Nintendo DSi enables you to manipulate the images you capture with 11 photo lenses and face recognition technology Nintendo DSi's enhanced sound system means your music collection sounds great with or without headphones Play with sound:Play music on your DS, experiment, record, create and play with sound using the DSi Sound application, while the ability to record voice samples through the built-in microphone then edit them to your heart's content adds another good reason to keep your Nintendo DSi by your side Take your music on the move with Nintendo DSi. By storing aac formatted music on SD cards Motion-activated gaming on the go: Interact with your games and console on the move like never before, with motion-detecting cameras to help you control future games on the console Access a world of new possibilities with Nintendo DSiWare. Available through the Nintendo DSi Shop, Nintendo DSiWare is downloadable content that includes everything from new themes to customise your Nintendo DSi with to unique games. Basic applications, such as the Nintendo DSi Browser can be downloaded for free, while other content can be purchased from the Nintendo DSi Shop in exchange for Nintendo DSi Points Play, share and enhance your DSi experience WiFi online: Download new games and applications from the DSi Shop from cartoon making to a free internet browser and challenge yourself online with DSi's improved connectivity The system can also play most Nintendo DS games, and will have access to a library of more than 850 titles Each DSi comes complete with: one Nintendo DSi System, two Nintendo DSi styluses, one Nintendo DSi AC power adapter, an easy start guide, manuals (basic and controls) and a support booklet Dimensions: W137 x L74.9 x D18.9mm Weight: Approx. 214g (with stylus) Battery specs: Rechargeable lithium ion battery pack, Minimum brightness setting: 9-14 Hrs, Low brightness setting: 8-12 Hrs, High brightness setting: 4-6 Hrs, Maximum brightness setting: 3-4 Hrs (times may vary depending on software) Charging time: Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes 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

Limited Collection Floral Jacquard Mini Skirt, at Mark & Spensers
Part of Limited Collection's LA Love trend. Feminine, soft and laid back, this is a fashionable LA look with a boho vibe. Beautiful fabrics and playful prints are key

Easy Pasta Book, at Marks & Spencer
Pasta - food for passion, food for life! For food that puts the colour and fun back into your life, look no further than pasta. Infinitely versatile and always delicious, pasta allows you to cook up a storm in the kitchen and whip up Italian delights that cannot fail to impress. Invite over the family, gather around the kitchen table and tuck into some truly inspirational food. For fail-safe ideas that take the minimum of effort, look no further than the recipes inside this book

Cotton Rich Chunky Zip Fastening Cardigan, at Marks & Spencers
Contemporary and casual, this long sleeve cardigan is made with cool comfortable cotton and features a zip fastening for a fashionable look

New Home Charm Card, at Marks and Spenser
Cover text: New home Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 174 x 126mm

Coupe Cup & Saucer, at Marks & Spencers
Suitable for everyday use Versatile fine dining range Makes an ideal gift Pure white porcelain Cup height: 7cm Saucer diameter: 16cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Perfect Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Heritage Corduroy Trousers, at M&S
Take it easy this autumn with soft fade, flat front cords in washed pure cotton. What weekends are made for

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