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 & Spensers 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 M & S, through its M&S Financial Services 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.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Financial Services. Not least of these is Mark's & Spencer Standard Car Insurance. With M&S Financial Services you can keep the cost of your Car 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 Car Insurance cover from M&S Financial Services, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from Marks & Spencer, 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 Car Insurance from M+S Money, you get more, and you pay less.

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

Autograph Modal Blend Retro Trunks, at MarksandSpencer
Made from soft, luxurious modal blend, these superior trunks are designed for exceptional comfort, a fashionable look and a flattering fit

Autograph Floral & Spot Mesh Fascinator Headband, at Marks and Spencer
Keep tumbling tresses off your face with this stylish floral fascinator headband

Limited Collection Spot Print Pencil Skirt, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel

Flat Top Silver-Effect Mantle Clock, at Marks and Spencer
Flat top Rectangular shape Inset dial Analog Glass and brushed metal design Dimensions: 16 x 13 x 5cm Weight: 0.45kg

Autograph Pure Cashmere Short Sleeve Jumper, at Marks & Spencer
Elegant and feminine, this crew neck jumper is made from pure cashmere for the ultimate in luxurious softness

Diamanté Square Photo Frame 17 x 13cm (4 x 6"), at Marks & Spencer
Celebrate those special memories in timeless style with this contemporary glittering photo frame

Pop Star Girl Age 8 Birthday Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: 8...happy birthday...to a real star! Inside message: Have a great day! Approx size: 174 x 126mm

Philips HP6335 Double Contour Ladyshave, at Mark & Spencers
Fast and efficient shaving: Twin-head for light shave of even the toughest hairs Adjusts to every body curve: Floating shaving head follows your body curves Smooth shave with aloe vera Washable shaving head Rechargeable Accessories: cleaning brush, charging stand and bikini trim attachments

'Happy Birthday!' Gift Bag with Balloon, at Marks & Spensers
Send birthday wishes with lovely pink, yellow and blue blooms in an elegant cream gift bag. The mini 'Happy Birthday' balloon makes it that bit extra special Available for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

Per Una Pure Linen Single Button Jacket, at Marks n Spencer
A pretty single breasted jacket in pure linen, featuring single button fastening and diamant detail brooch

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

Barton Armchair, at Marks & Spensers
H85 x W102 x D90cm Seat H51cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Other cushions filled with polyester fibre. Gives a soft sit with a lived-in look, which will soften and relax even further with use. Fibre is sewn into channels within the interior to prevent settlement in one area of the cushion Fabric options feature reversible cushions Frame made from solid hardwood. All main joints are glued and screwed to give the frame strength Frames are rigorously tested with 95kg weight equivalent and exceed standards set for heavy domestic use Feet are castors with antique-brass effect finish All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence™ - a stain resistant finish - at no extra cost. Fabrics are tested for resistance to wear and fading Detailed care instructions are included Free eco-friendly home delivery. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more Free swatch service: Order up to 6 free swatch samples of any fabric to help you choose your upholstery by calling 0845 603 1 603 Please note: Images displayed here act as a guide and may not be representative of the finished item. Fabrics are overlayed onto model images, so actual seams and pattern match may differ from what is shown. Leather furniture, in particular, has more seams that fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Chateau Lynch Moussas 1997 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spenser
Style: Dry Grape variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.4 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.6 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Large August Bouquet, at Marks and Spencer
Historically a symbol of love, this assortment of larkspur in shades of lilac, cream and pink also contains deep purple lisianthus, sandriana and delicately pretty roses. Includes 50% more blooms than the standard August bouquet Available for delivery from 1st to 29th August 2009

Baby Boys' Rocket Pull-On Pram Shoes, at Marks n Spencer
Round toe Rocket motif Pull-on Heel loop detail Flat sole

Casa Leona Merlot 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencers
Style: Medium bodied Grape variety: Merlot Country of origin: Chile Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.1 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.7 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Limited Collection Faux Crocodile Skin Leggings, at Marks & Spencer
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel

Royal Horticultural Society Pink Watercolour Roses Blank Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Pretty Pink Roses Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx. size: 150 x 150mm About the RHS: The RHS is dedicated to advancing horticulture and helping all gardeners. An interest in gardening is all you need to enjoy being a member of the RHS. For more information call 0845 130 464, or visit www.rhs.org.uk

Floral Gift Card, at Marks n Spencer
Can be redeemed in any of our UK stores and online Credit card-sized Gift Card with presentation greetings card Gift Cards can be topped up in stores to the maximum value of 500 Gift Cards are valid for 24 months after last use Frequently asked questions Click here to view frequently asked questions about our Gift Cards Click here for full Gift Card terms and conditions This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Non Iron Long Sleeve Bold Bengal Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Smart and innovative, this easycare shirt has a special finish on the fabric and is cleverly constructed to make it non-iron. A great time saver, ideal for work wear

Blue Harbour Linen Blend Straight Leg Jeans, at Marks&Spencer
These classic jeans are an excellent addition to any causal wardrobe thanks to a smart, easy to wear design. Team with a long sleeve shirt or plain tee for an effortless weekend look

Autograph Pure Wool Single Breasted 2 Button Jacket, at Marks n Spencer
Our Autograph suits are made from finer fabrics with superior attention to detail, giving you the ultimate in sharp, sophisticated style

Body Formula Intensive Night Time Hand Serum, at Marks and Spencer
Active skin regeneration complex Visibly reduces wrinkles and evens skin tones Vitamin C to nourish 75ml

Luxury Pure Wool Tweed Single Breasted 2 Button Jacket, at Mark's & Spencer
Beautifully designed, made from superior fabric and finished with careful attention to detail, this 2 button jacket is exceptionally stylish and luxurious

Per Una Rainbow Stripe Bikini Bottoms, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable stripe bikini bottoms featuring a side tie

Country Bunch Hand Made Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: Happy birthday Inside message: ... with lots of love xxx Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Big & Tall Flat Front Wool Blend Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and stylish, these trousers are made from a hardwearing wool blend with stretch. Perfectly proportioned for big and tall men

Animal Print Hipster Bikini Bottoms, at Marks & Spencer
Stylish and elegant, this fashionable bikini bottoms features a striking animal print. A fabulous fashionable look

Long Sleeve Mock Layer Stripe Top, at Marks and Spencer
Want style and comfort? Brushed cotton gives this fashionable top an irresistibly soft touch

Handcrafted Blue Flower Heads Mother's Day Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: To a very special Mum on Mother's Day Inside message: Have a lovely day Approx size: 150 x 150mm

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 Financial Services. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Property Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at M&S than you might imagine.

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