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 Spenser 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 M+S 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.

There are lots of ways to save money using M+S Money. Not least of these is Marks and Spencer Standard Car Insurance. With M+S Money 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 Money, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from Marks n 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 Finance, you get more, and you pay less.

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 Mark's & Spencer are so useful. M+S Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & Spenser 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, Home Insurance policies. Usually, UK Home 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 Home 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 Home Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Wooden Body Care Styling Hair Brush, at Marks and Spencer
Wooden design Rounded pins This brush is made with wood from well managed forests as certified by the Forest Stewardship Council

Border Trim Blanket, at Marks and Spencers
Plain Border trim Comes in sizes single (3ft), double (4ft 6in), king size (5ft)and super king size (6ft), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

3/4 Sleeve Wiggle Knit Shirt, at Mark's & Spencer
Fashionable and elegant, this shirt has fab 3/4 length sleeve and wiggle knit design. Open neck collar adds to its irresistible appeal

3 Assorted Check Print Boxers, at Marks&Spencer
Fashionable and hardwearing, these boxers offer comfort and reliability at a great value price

Autograph Pure Cotton Slim Fit Poplin Shirt, at Mark's & Spencer
This luxurious shirt is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Its fine quality and careful attention to detail make it a superior and stylish modern classic

Soft Grip Solid Spoon, at Marks n Spencer
Hanging loop Soft grip handle L34.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Black Floral 40th Birthday Card, at Marks and Spenser
Cover text: Happy 40th Birthday Inside message: With love on your special day Approx. size: 150 x 150mm

Autograph Malva Chair, at Mark's & Spencer
H75 x W75 x D90cm Seat H42cm (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 Swivel metal base instead of feet 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 All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence& trade; - 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 item 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 than fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Wool Blend Double Breasted Coat, at Marks & Spenser
Fashionable and practical, this coat is fully lined and features a detachable hood. A comfortable, easycare style

Crease Resistant Single Pleat Straight Leg Trousers, at Marks & Spenser
Stay smarter for longer with these innovative crease resistant trousers

The Floral Collection Iris Talcum Powder, at Mark & Spencers
200g Iris fragrance

2 Pure Cotton Chino Shorts, at Marks&Spencer
Relaxed and comfortable, these pure cotton chino shorts make a practical, fashionable choice. Made in an eco-factory, designed to use less energy and create less waste

Autograph Pure Cashmere Knitted Jumper, at Marks and Spencers
Soft and cosy, this Autograph v-neck jumper is made from pure cashmere for the ultimate in luxurious softness.Exclusive, luxurious and beautiful

Lotus Flower Scented Pillar Candle, at Marks and Spencer
Flower scented Pillar shape, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Pure Cashmere Polo Neck Jumper, at Marks & Spenser
Blissfully cosy, this roll neck jumper is made from pure cashmere for the ultimate in luxurious softness

3 Younger Boys' Cotton Rich Monster Trunks, at Marks & Spenser
Comfortable, practical and fashionable, this pack of 3 trunks is made with soft breathable cotton.

Adored Comfort Leaf Embroidered High Leg Knickers, at Marks & Spencer
Soft and pretty, these embroidered briefs are made from the softest fabric and trims, so they feel blissfully comfortable to wear. The high leg style makes legs look longer, giving a flattering shapely fit. Feminine everyday lingerie

Brow Bar Sunglasses, at Marks & Spencers
With full UV protection and a flattering modern design, these smart sunglasses will see you through the summer in style

Cut Swirl Champagne Flute, at Marks & Spencer
Wide base Swirl design Handmade Height: 27.5 cm Capacity: 17cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Blue Harbour Large Grid Short Sleeve Shirt, at MarksandSpencer
Stylishly smart casual, this comfortable shirt looks great dressed up or down

Per Una Multi Strand Acid Slice Pendant Necklace, at Marks n Spencer
Acid slice round pendant Mixed bead design Multi strand Length: 50cm

Wide Leg Jersey Trousers, at Marks & Spencers
Greater choice of leg lengths now available Fluid and feminine, these wide leg trousers are cut to flatter, giving an elegant silhouette. A stylish, fashionable look

Butterfly Shaker Age 21 Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: 21 Happy Birthday Inside text: Blank for your own message Approx size: 175 x 126mm

Cotton Rich Spot Print Vest & Knickers Set, at Marks and Spencer
Soft and comfortable, this spot print bra and knicker set is made from cool, breathable stretch cotton. It's designed to give gentle support and a flattering fit

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Car Motif T-Shirt, at Mark & Spencers
Fashionable and relaxed, this car motif t-shirt is made from pure cotton. It's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Children of the World Puzzle, at Mark's & Spencer
45 pieces, including 9 stand-up pieces Explore the globe and meet some friendly faces Suitable for ages 3+ This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Animal Alphabet Novelty Notebook, at Marks & Spencer
Animal alphabet novelty notebook Hardback W16 x L17 cm

Los Nucos Shiraz Cabernet Rosé 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon Country of origin: Chile Closure: Synthetic closure Bottle: 12 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

Per Una Assorted Stripe Mock Layer Top, at Marks and Spencer
A casual mock layer top featuring front tie detail

Autograph Floral Stripe Tie, at Marks & Spenser
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

M & S may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Home Insurance or Car Insurance, but M+S 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 M+S Money website. With a simple, no-hassle service, you can compare features between a number of Marks & Spencer Money products and competitor's products, and sign up in just a few minutes.

Whether you're looking for savings products or M+S Money loans, credit cards or Home Insurance - besides a number of other insurance products, M+S Money can save you both time and money, with comprehensive information available at a click.

Free insurance quotes are available online for all of M+S Money insurance products (Home Insurance, Car 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 & Spencers insurance products in document format too.