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

• M&S Insurance: M&S Car Insurance, M&S Property 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 & Spencers, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

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

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

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from M&S Money Direct. 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 Money Direct, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Money Direct 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 Money Direct offers a variety of financial and insurance products, but Car Insurance is something that almost everyone needs - at least if you own a car. Unfortunately there are so many companies offering Car Insurance today that, after a while, one policy may begin to look much like the next.

Thinking that most Car 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 Car Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Car Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M&S Money Direct Car Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Car Insurance to the competition then it stacks up quite nicely.

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

• 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 Car 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 M&S Money Direct UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
A feminine 3/4 length sleeve top in textured fabric featuring an embroidered design and tie fastening

Cotton Rich Plain V-Neck T-Shirt, at M+S
This longer length short sleeved t-shirt will make a useful addition to your wardrobe. It features a flattering v-neck for a stylish casual look

Smooth Cup Padded Bra, at Marks and Spencer
Sleek and stylish, this bra is perfectly smooth, so there are no visible outlines under clothing. Light padding and underwiring give an enhanced natural shape. Designed for women who want a streamlined silhouette

Younger Girls' Pure Cotton Little Miss Hooded Poncho, at Marks & Spencer
Fans of Mr Men & Little Miss will love this hooded cotton poncho featuring the popular character. A practical, easycare style

Machine Washable Diagonal Stripe Tie, at MarksandSpencer
No more trips to the drycleaners! This striped tie is machine washable

Pure Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Denim Shirt, at Mark's & Spencer
Casual and contemporary, this denim shirt is made from cool comfortable cotton and features popper fastening

3 Autograph Pure Cotton Classic Trunks, at M & S
Comfortable, practical and fashionable, this 3 pack of trunks is made from soft breathable cotton

2 Older Girls' Heart Trim Crop Tops, at Marks & Spencers
Cute and comfortable, these comfy crop tops make a great way of getting girls used to the idea of wearing bras

LED Light Collection Dragonfly Mobile, at Marks & Spenser
Hanging loop Circular design 3 hanging dragonflies, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ribbon Bootie Slippers, at Marks and Spencer
Treat your feet to the warm comfort of these faux fur trim slippers. They're a terrific option for lounging around the home in cosy style

Personalised Calendar, at Marks and Spencer
Dimensions: 225 x 390mm

Collezione Pure Wool 3 Button Jacket, at Marks and Spenser
Italian tailoring is renowned for its sophisticated style. Each collezione suit is designed with that same passion, using the finest fabrics and best tailoring techniques

Sebo Airbelt K1 Komfort Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner, at Marks & Spencer
Excellent for carpet and hard flooring Includes dusting brush, turbo brush head and horse hair parquet brush, crevice nozzle and upholstery nozzle Anti-allergy design with British Allergy Foundation Approval Extra-long hose - 2.1 metres Dustbag capacity: 3 litres Vacuum weight: 5.5kg Triple microfiltration system 5 year parts and 2 year labour domestic use warranty Quiet operation Ideal for fibre and pet hair 2100 watt motor 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Modal Blend Pyjama Shorts, at Marks & Spenser
Create your own look by mixing and matching these pyjama shorts with our tops and t-shirts. Great for relaxing in style whether you're heading for bed or just chilling out at home

Black & Decker® FV1205N Pivot Plus Cordless Stic Vac, at Mark & Spencers
Pivots in 4 positions to adapt to the different cleaning situations. Position 0 for charge and storage; position 1 for normal use; position 2 pivoting angle; position 3 pivoting angle Cordless for maximum convenience Up to the edge cleaning thanks to its innovative floor-head Powerful 12V unit for high pick-up level of dirt and debris Double filtration system for better performance and longer filter life Easy emptying system: just open the lid to empty the bowl Rotating power brush for effective cleaning of carpet and rugs Simply switch-off the floor head beater bar for hard surface cleaning Lightweight for effortless use, even on stairs Easy to store thanks to its docking station that allows the unit to charge whilst stored

Autograph Siberian Goose Down Duvet 10.5 Tog, at Marks & Spensers
10.5 tog Ideal for Spring and Autumn use, or all round use in homes with central heating Highest quality class 1 Siberian goose down Large down clusters within a multi-pocket construction - provides warmth without weight Each pocket is individually filled ensuring even down distribution Comes in single (3ft), double (4ft 6in), king-size (5ft) and super king-size (6ft) 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

Pure Linen Eyelet Curtains, at M&S
Eyelets Plain Lined Comes in standard 130cm/51in (STD) and wider 168cm/66in (WDR) widths Comes in 2 drop lengths: short (137cm/54in) and long (229cm/90in) How to measure for window dressings: Click here for a guide to measuring for curtains, pelmets and roman blinds., Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Sprung-Edge Divan with 4 Large Drawers & F100 Mattress, at Marks & Spenser
Single Mattress (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double Mattress (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size Mattress (5ft): W150 x L200cm Single Divan (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double Divan (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size Divan (5ft): W150 x L200cm Mattress depth: 24cm Divan height: 41cm Large Drawer: H14 x W78 x D52cm, Small Drawer: H14 x W40 x D52cm Smaller drawers at the head end are designed to open without moving your bedside table Open coil mattresses provide a hard-wearing and supportive background Sprung-edge divan - Can be used with any mattress All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected Mattress does not require turning All mattresses and Divans are manufactured in the UK A sample mattress is subjected to 3 rigorous tests to ensure it remains comfortable. Surface fabric is rubbed 15,000 times against a hard surface to test resistance to wear. Mattress is pounded by a machine 80,000 times to replicate the movements of a human torso and subjected to 20,000 rolls of a roller machine to simulate the rolling motion of a sleeping person Free eco-friendly home delivery. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Diggers & Dumpers Sticker Activity Book, at Marks & Spencers
Have fun completing this colourful, action-packed sticker book with more than 70 stickers. Help the diggers at work, find the missing forklift trucks, and join the machines building a road

Ceriso Styled French Maid Stripe Underwired Bra, at Marks & Spencers
Feminine and fashionable, this modern bra is beautifully detailed with lace trim and rose feature. It's underwired for extra support and the padded plunge style gives a fabulous enhanced cleavage. Designed for women who want the latest look

Fishing Penguin Dad Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: Dad, Relax, chill out and... ...Enjoy your birthday! Inside message: Have a really cool day Approx size: 215 x 150mm

Sonoma 6-Drawer Tallboy, at M+S
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

M&S USB Mini Cable, at Marks & Spencer
1.8 metre cable 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

M&S Large Button Cordless Phone, at Marks and Spencer
Large LCD - 1 line alphanumeric & 2 line icon display Big buttons for comfort of use 20 name and number phonebook 5 ringer melodies Last 5 number redial Up to 10 hours talk time Up to 100 hours standby Backlit LCD Hands-free speakerphone Hearing aid compatible Caller display stores information on the last 10 calls 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

Sonoma Wardrobe & 10-Drawer Wide Chest Set, at Marks and Spencer
Wardrobe: H200 x W90 x D65cm, with 1 hanging rail and 1 shelf 10-drawer wide chest: H88 x W170 x D50cm 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 Shelves made from White Oak veneer 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 manufacturers instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Flat Front Charcoal Stripe Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and stylish, this suit is outstanding value! It's made from comfortable hardwearing fabric, ideal for everyday wear

Pure Silk Digital Square Print Scarf, at Marks & Spencer
Add a luxurious finishing touch to your look with this elegant pure silk digital square print scarf. The perfect accessory to this season's styles

Ruby Cereal Bowl - Black, at Marks & Spenser
Deep dish Plain centre Stripe edge Diam 16cm Fine china, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Silver-Plated Twig Photo Frame 10 x 15cm (4 x 6"), at Marks & Spencers
Rectangle design Silver plated Aperture: 10 x 15cm (4 x 6"), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Perfect Autograph Weekend Satin Honeycomb Print Chemise, at Marks and Spencer
Luxurious and sophisticated, this modern chemise is part of our exclusive Autograph Weekend collection. It's beautifully designed and detailed with honeycomb print and made from the softest fabrics for the ultimate in comfort

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 and Spencers, through its M&S Money Direct 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.