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

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

• M&S Insurance: M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Buildings 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 and Spenser, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

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

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

Cotton Rich Heart Print First Bra & Knickers Set, at M & S
Soft and comfortable, this bra and knickers set is ideal for everyday wear

Autograph Essentials Ponte Scoop Neck Dress, at Marks&Spencer
Luxurious and elegant, this smart style dress is part of our exclusive Autograph range

Per Una Open Weave Scarf, at Mark & Spencers
Keep out the chills in fashionable style with this warm, soft scarf. With its fluffy texture it adds a fabulous finishing touch to your new season's look.

Classic Collection Stripe Crinkle Skirt, at Marks & Spenser
Smart and stylish, this panelled skirt in softly draping fabric is designed to fit and flare for a figure-flattering look. A stripe crinkle design adds a fashionable touch

Limited Collection Round Toe Court Shoes, at Marks and Spencers
Heel height: 78mm Round toe Slip on Court style High heel Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Gold Plated Heart Necklace & Earrings Set, at Marks & Spencers
2 part set Fine chain necklace with heart pendant and diamant detail Diamant stud earrings This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Langhe Arneis 2007 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Arneis Country of origin: Italy Closure: Screw cap Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.8 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

Per Una Sleeveless Ruffle Top, at Marks&Spencer
A fashionable sleeveless top featuring front ruffle detail

The Floral Collection Magnolia Liliflora Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, at Mark & Spencers
Alcohol free 150ml

Andante Rim Side Plate, at Marks & Spenser
Ideal for everyday use, durable Plain Round shape Diameter 21cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Bodysensor™ 40 Denier Opaque Bodyshaper Tights, at M+S
These comfortable 40 denier opaque tights are made with added stretch and a reinforced toe for durability. They feature bodysensor™ technology to keep you warm when its cool and cool when its warm

Dog and Beer 40th Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Approx. size: 230 x 114mm Cover text: 40 today Inside message: Let's party!

Cotton Rich Floral Print Shorts, at Marks & Spencers
Low rise shorts are perfect for wearing with hipster styles and these pretty floral print shorts are shapely and modern. Added stretch gives a comfortable, flattering fit

3 Big & Tall Authentic Pure Cotton Boxers, at M&S
Made from soft breathable cotton, these comfy boxers are ideal for everyday wear

Knee Length Flared Belted Skirt, at Marks and Spencer
Sleek and stylish, this flared skirt makes a fashionable, flattering choice. A glamorous modern look

4 Scottish Lochmuir™ Melted Middle Mousses, at MarksandSpencer
4 pieces Serves 4 Ready to eat 460g total weight As featured on page 23 of the Food to Order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Younger Girls' Pure Cotton Minnie Mouse Slippers, at Marks and Spencer
Round toe 'Minnie Mouse' motif Stretch rim Disney

Per Una Short Sleeve Tribal Tier Top with Angora, at M&S
A feminine scoop neck top featuring a pleated bib front and frill cap sleeves

Gold Plated Barrel Snake Drop Earrings, at Mark's & Spencer
3 strand design Barrel feature Butterfly fastening For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

The Floral Collection Iris Soap, at Marks & Spencers
3 x 100g Iris scented Added moisturisers

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

Spencer Bear, at Marks & Spencers
Cute and cuddly, this huggable Spencer Bear makes for a great gift

Faux Pearl Gatsby Stretch Bracelet, at Mark's & Spencer
Large beads Elasticated Faux pearl design

Pure New Wool Single Breasted 2 Button Twill Jacket, at Marks & Spensers
Beautifully tailored and finished with careful attention to detail, this luxurious jacket is made from pure new wool

4 Oslo Tall Tumblers, at Marks and Spencer
Set of 4 Dishwasher safe H15cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Classic Collection Pure Cotton V-Neck Top, at Marks and Spencer
Feminine and pretty, this versatile top is made from soft easycare fabric and features a floral print neckline. A fashionable style with a comfortable, flattering fit

Block Builders Game, at Marks and Spencer
Number of players: 2 Suitable for age 8+ Pack contains: Double-sided playing board, spinner, 72 playing pieces, score pad, pencil and instructions Approx. size of playing board: 120 x 160mm This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

M&S Midnight 4-Slice Toaster, at Marks and Spencer
Toast up to 4 slices Variable browning control Defrost, reheat and cancel buttons High lift facility Stainless steel finish H22 x W46 x D21cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more 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, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Block Stripe Top, at Marks & Spencers
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

Spots and Stripes Large Gift Bag, at Marks & Spencers
Pack Contains: 1 gift bag Approx Size: H: 420 mm, W: 300 mm, D: 100 mm

M+S 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 Buildings 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 Buildings 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 Money Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.