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 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 Motor 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.

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 MarksandSpencer are so useful. Marks & Spencers Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & Spensers 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, Buildings & Contents Insurance policies. Usually, UK Buildings & Contents 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 Buildings & Contents 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 Buildings & Contents Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Marks and Spenser may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Buildings & Contents Insurance or Motor Insurance, but Marks and Spencers do indeed offer a comprehensive selection of financial products, all of which are competitively priced, and all of which you can purchase directly from the Marks & Spencers Money website. With a simple, no-hassle service, you can compare features between a number of M+S Money products and competitor's products, and sign up in just a few minutes.

Whether you're looking for savings products or Marks & Spencers Money loans, credit cards or Buildings & Contents Insurance - besides a number of other insurance products, Marks & Spencers Money can save you both time and money, with comprehensive information available at a click.

Free insurance quotes are available online for all of Marks & Spencers Money insurance products (Buildings & Contents Insurance, Motor Insurance, Travel Insurance, Wedding Insurance and Pet Insurance), or you may call if you wish to on the telephone number provided. Suffice to say that there is also plenty of information which you can download for each of the Marks & Spencer insurance products in document format too.

3 Pure Cotton Sleeveless Rib Vests, at Marks & Spenser
Cute and comfy, these fashionable ribbed vests are made from soft cotton

Small Jungle Monkey, at Marks & Spencer
Suitable for ages 0-3yrs This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Older Girls' Butterfly Flip Flops, at Marks & Spencers
Round toe Flat sole Butterfly design Toe post design

Duck Feather & Down 4.5 Tog Duvet, at Marks & Spenser
4.5 tog The coolest of all duvets, designed for summer use 230 thread count and 100% cotton downproof cover Excellent value for money, natural duck feather and down filling ensures a soft and comfy night's sleep Pure cotton cover Highest quality class 1 duck feather down Which tog? Tog measures the warmth of a duvet based on its ability to trap warm air. The higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet. The perfect tog is a personal choice which can depend upon you and your home, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Knitted Tank Jumper, 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

National Parks Of Britain by Role Smith, at M+S
Fascinating and wonderful. Every lover of the British countryside should have this book

3 Easycare Short Sleeve Blouses, at Marks and Spencers
This 3 pack of easycare short sleeve blouses is outstanding value. Taped reinforced seams give a smooth neat look

Stormwear™ Hooded Ruffle Parka, at Marks & Spencer
Fashionable and practical, this warmly padded coat is treated with our unique Stormwear™ technology which repels water and stains. Storm cuffs help keep arms warm and hold on gloves

First Readers Little Red Riding Hood, at Mark's & Spencer
...''Oh Granny, what big ears you have!'' says Little Red Riding Hood. ''All the better to hear you with,'' snaps back the wolf. Enjoy finding out how Little Red Riding Hood outwits the wolf, in this quirky retelling of the classic fairy tale

Airflex™ Wide Fit Raised Suede Lace Up Shoes, at Marks & Spensers
Square toe Stitch detail Lace up Block heel Lightweight, flexible and durable Unique Airflex™ airflow system for unbeatable comfort Wide fit

Wall Art Wire Tree, at Marks and Spencer
Handcrafted Made of mild steel wire Approx size: 76 x 1 x 53cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Summer Floral Leaf Bed Cover, at Marks and Spenser
Floral leaf design Quilted look Stitched detail 250 x 265cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Perfect Knee Length Panelled Pencil Skirt, at Marks and Spencer
Sophisticated and stylish, this pencil skirt in easy-to-wear jersey makes dressing for work an absolute breeze this autumn

Collezione Silk Rich Ethnic Self Print Tie, at Marks and Spencers
Stylish and luxurious, this silk rich tie is part of Collezione, a sophisticated menswear collection inspired by Italian tailoring

Leather Centre Seam T-Line Stitch Shoes, at Marks and Spenser
Square toe Centre seam T-line stitch Lace-up Small block heel Lined

Ruby Cup & Saucer - Black, at Marks and Spenser
2 piece set Slim handle stripe cup All over stripe saucer Saucer diam 14.5cm Cup height 5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pasta Salad with Spinach & Pine Nuts, at Marks & Spencers
Serves 8 Ready to eat 700g Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers As featured on page 27 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

Shimmer Effect Glass Charger Plate, at Marks and Spencer
Circular shape Shimmer effect Plain, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Everyday Underwired Sheer Bras, at Marks and Spenser
Feminine and pretty, this pack of 2 underwired bras are great value. They're designed to give gentle support and a flattering fit

Men's Classic Fragrance Collection, at M+S
Contains: Woodspice aftershave 30ml Woodspice shower gel 30ml Harvard aftershave 30ml Harvard ahower gel 30ml

Sonoma 6-Drawer Tallboy, at Marks & Spensers
H127 x W50 x D50cm 6 drawers Made from solid oak and oak veneer This range features natural wood characteristics Finished with 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Drawer boxes and fronts made from solid Oak. Drawer bottoms made from White Oak veneer Handles made from solid wood Side and back made from White Oak veneer Top panel is veneered with solid Oak edging for strength 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

Portfolio Faux Pearl Necklace, at M+S
Choker style Tie fastening Adjustable length Faux pearl design Ribbon necklace Necklace length 32cm

Classic Collection Short Sleeve Floral Blouse, at Marks & Spenser
Feminine and pretty, this floral print blouse will give your look an instant lift. It looks lovely worn with plain skirts or trousers in coordinating colours from the Classic collection

Pure Silk Multi Stripe Tie with Stain Defence™, at Marks and Spencer
This woven silk tie has been treated with our stain defence™ technology giving inbuilt resistance to everyday spills, this repellence benefit is maintained after dry cleaning

Leather Fan Purse, at Marks & Spencer
Flash your cash in style! Fashionable and functional, this leather fan purse features a stylish flat zip pull

Anti-Cellulite Thigh Slimmer Control Knickers, at Marks & Spensers
These anti-cellulite thigh slimmer control knickers are independently proven to reduce surface signs of cellulite. Ready-coated with a Skintex formula, they use the latest cosmetic textile technology which allows micro bubbles in the fabric to release the special ingredients on to your skin for smoother, firmer thighs. For maximum results wear for 8 hours a day, 6 days a week for 6 weeks. Includes a Skintex reapplication spray

Girls' Limited Cotton Rich Stirrup Leggings, at Marks and Spencers
Part of Girls' Limited, a contemporary casual collection in trend-conscious styles and soft comfortable fabrics, designed for easy layering. Perfect for stylish girls who love looking fashionable

Flat Compact Umbrella, at Marks & Spensers
Smart and easy to carry, the practical design of this handy umbrella is the perfect solution for dealing with sudden downpours

Short Sleeve Nautical Top, at Marks & Spencer
A stripe print adds a pretty touch to this cotton rich top

Schoolwear Plus Fit 3 Easycare Long Sleeve Shirts, at Marks and Spenser
This 3 pack of larger sized easycare long sleeve shirts is outstanding value! A school essential View Plus Schoolwear Size Guide. Find out more

Marks & Spencers Money offers a variety of financial and insurance products, but Motor Insurance is something that almost everyone needs - at least if you own a car. Unfortunately there are so many companies offering Motor Insurance today that, after a while, one policy may begin to look much like the next.

Thinking that most Motor Insurance policies are much the same is usually a bad idea. At worst it can be a very expensive mistake - this is when you find out that your Motor Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Motor Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately Marks & Spencers Money Motor Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Motor Insurance to the competition then it stacks up quite nicely.

For example, here are just some of the options which come as standard with M+S 5 Star Premier cover Motor Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Motor Insurance plans from companies such as Direct Line, Sainsbury's, or Tescos:

• Personal UK and European Breakdown Cover automatically included
• Comprehensive cover for trips abroad in the European Union – up to 90 days per trip
• Courtesy car during approved repairs automatically included
• Cover for Motor Legal Protection automatically included

So, it is clear that, besides being good value, M&S Motor Insurance also provides much more extensive cover than some of the top competitors. Additionally, you don't even need to be behind the wheel to benefit from Marks & Spencers Money UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.