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 & Spencer, 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 Car 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.

Besides MarksandSpencer Car Insurance, Marks & Spencers Money Credit Cards and other financial products, Marks & Spencers Money 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 Marks & Spencers 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 and Spencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both Marks & Spencers Money 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.

Shopping for financial products at Marks & Spencers Money UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks and Spencers online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the Marks & Spencers Money website:

• M&S Insurance: M&S Car Insurance, M&S Home Insurance, M&S Life Insurance, M&S Wedding Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance
• M&S Credit Cards: M&S Credit Card, M&S Premium Club Card
• M&S Loans: M&S Car Buying Plan, M&S Personal Loans
• M&S Money: M&S Travel Money for your trips abroad
• M&S Savings: M&S Everyday Savings Account, M&S Fixed Rate Savings, M&S Stocks & Shares ISA, M&S Cash ISA, M&S Unit Trust

Of course, many of these types of product can be purchased elsewhere too; however, once you begin to take a closer look at the products from Marks&Spencer, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

And, just as importantly, contacting Marks & Spencers Money in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the Marks & Spencers Money website.

Splish 'n' Splash Tugboat, at Marks and Spenser
Includes a green fish scoop with handle and a small teddy When water is scooped into the ''crow's nest'' it flows through and turns the waterwheel Suitable for ages 0 - 3yrs Approx size: 26 x 22.5 x 9cm This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Bow Design Headband, at Marks & Spencers
Dress up those tresses in fabulous style with this cute bow headband

M&S 2400W Autoclean Steam Iron, at Marks & Spencers
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Jewelled Collection - Floor Lamp, at Marks & Spencers
Cyclinder shade Tall stem Chrome plated Facetted faux jewel design H153 x Diam 40cm Bulb: ES 100W GLS or 21W CFL, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

A Year In Your Garden Book, at Marks & Spensers
A beautiful range of 5 gardening titles, full of inspiring ideas and tips both for the novice and more experienced gardener. From pots and small backyards to larger gardens, feel confident in choosing the right flowers and shrubs for the right place all year round! Packed full of wonderful colour photography, these books will prepare and motivate you to garden

Spot Print Bikini Top, at Marks and Spencer
Modern and stylish, this bikini is outstanding value. Style and quality at a great price

White Pearl Damask RSVP Cards - Pack of Ten, at Marks&Spencer
Inside message: Many thanks for your kind wedding invitation................................................................Would be pleased to accept/cannot accept 10 cards, 1 design Aprrox size: 133 x 73mm

Traidcraft Embroidered Daisies Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover Text: Blank Inside message: blank for your own message Approx size: 138 x 138mm

Perfect Autograph Silk Rich Pleated Shorts, at Marks and Spencers
Enjoy the luxurious feel of soft, smooth silk next to your skin. The moulded, padded bra gives a perfect shape while the matching shorts are effortlessly elegant

Mirrored Sink Unit, Sink & Tap Set, at Marks and Spencer
Sink Unit: H81 x W60 x D43cm Overall: H89 x W60 x D43cm Mirrored glass Clear handles Toughened safety glass shelves 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Blue Harbour Funnel Zip Neck Fleece, at Marks and Spencers
Relaxed and comfortable, this funnel zip neck fleece is outstanding value!

Pure Cotton 3 Button Chunky Knit Cardigan, at Marks & Spencer
Soft and comfy, this 3 button chunky knit cardigan is outstanding value. A fashionable easycare style

Airflex™ Comfort Lace Up Shoe, at Marks & Spencer
Square toe Stitch detail Lace up Eyelets Unique Airflex™ airflow system for unbeatable comfort

Nectarine & Orange Infusion Sticks, at M&S
Fragranced liquid in glass bottle diffused by wood sticks into your room Nectarine and orange scented, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Philips Power2Charge Universal USB Charger, at MarksandSpencer
The plug is designed in such a way that it can be folded when not in use to increase portability when on the go Via the illuminated Philips logo, you are informed about the charging status of your device. When the Philips logo starts flashing you know your device is fully charged, so you can unplug it from the power outlet and prevent unnecessary energy consumption The travel bag supplied with this device is both convenient and useful as it provides extra protection Once they are charged, a protection circuit ensures no more power is provided to the batteries of your portable device With built-in short-circuit protection, there is no risk of damaging your device. The built-in protection quickly shuts off the output Power input voltage: 100-240 V Power output voltage: 5.6 V Heavy metals: Cd free, Hg free, Pb free Dimensions: H7 x W5.6 x D5.2cm Weight: 0.07 kg

Instant Fix 24 Cooling Eye Pads, at Marks and Spencers
Place a pad on each closed eyelid, lie back and relax for 1-15 minutes For extra soothing, store in a refrigerator before use Includes 24 cooling cucumber eye pads With aloe vera, cucumber extract and camomile

Girlie Dress Up Stickers, at Marks and Spencer
3 sheets 75 stickers 205mm x 272mm

Portfolio Pure Silk Painted Floral Lightweight Scarf, at Mark's & Spencer
Add a luxurious finishing touch to your look with this elegant pure silk painted floral print scarf. The perfect accessory to this season's styles

Autograph Exclusive 3 Piece Shirt, Jacket & Tie Set, at MarksandSpencer
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

3 Non-Iron Short Sleeve Blouses, at Mark's & Spencer
A great value 3-pack of school blouses, non-iron for convenience

Barletta 2 Seater Sofa AU09 Newness, at Marks and Spencers
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Tab Front Pleat Knee Length Skirt, at Marks and Spencer
Sleek and chic, this skirt is tailored to fit and flatter. A stylish choice for work or smart occasions and it's machine washable for added convenience

Per Una Short Sleeve Belted Cardigan with Wool, at Marks and Spencers
A fashionable short sleeve knitted cardigan featuring a waist tie belt

Cropped Drawstring Waist Beach Trousers, at Mark's & Spencer
Stylish and shapely these cropped trousers look chic with wedges, sandals or flat pumps

Classic Collection Cross Hatch Trousers, at Marks n Spencer
Smart and stylish, these straight leg trousers are designed for a flattering, comfortable fit and a polished look. They make the perfect match for fashionable jackets, blouses and knitwear

Stormwear™ Multi Pocket Hooded Coat, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable and practical, this cosy jacket is warmly padded and lined with fleece. It's treated with our unique Stormwear™ technology which repels water and stains. Storm cuffs help keep arms warm and hold on gloves

Silver Foil Spot Tissue Pack, at Mark & Spensers
Pack of 3 Metallic effect 2 sheets spotty tissue, 1 sheet plain silver tissue 700 x 500mm

Autograph Linen Blend Tie Fastening Ruffle Trim Cardigan, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable and contemporary, this linen blend cardigan features a ruffle trim. A pretty, practical and easycare style

12 Piece Coupe Dinner Set, at Marks & Spencers
12-piece dinner set Includes 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates and 4 cereal bowls Pure white porcelain Versatile fine dining range, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Stormwear™ & Stain Defence™ Zip Pocket Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and innovative, these bootleg trousers are non-iron for convenience. Stormwear™ and Stain Defence™ technology makes them water and stain resistant. The adjustable waist gives a perfectly comfortable fit and the zipped pocket keeps lunch money safe

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