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 Spenser, through its Marks & Spencer 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 Property Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Marks & Spencer 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 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, Marks & Spencer Money Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

Marks & Spencer Money 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 Marks & Spencer Money 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 & Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer Money UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Per Una Ruffle Hem Check Skirt with Belt, at Marks & Spencers
A stylish mid-calf length skirt in a soft virgin wool blend featuring check design and a ruffled hem

Sauvignon Blanc VdP Val de Loire 2008 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon blanc Country of origin: France Closure: Natural Cork Suitable for vegetarians and vegans 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

Stormwear™ Long Sleeve Hooded Anorak, at Mark's & Spencer
The classic anorak has been given a contemporary twist with a button cuff detail. Designed in an easycare water resistant fabric with a hood, this practical and stylish jacket will keep you dry on rainy days

Oxford Toe Cap Shoes, at Marks & Spencers
Round toe Stitch detail Lace up Block heel

Bees Thank You Teacher Multipack, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Design 1: thank you Design 2: thank you teacher Inside message: Both designs: you're the best 6 cards, 2 designs Approx size: 130 x 130mm

3D Felt Leaf Cushion, at Marks and Spencer
Square shape Leaf appliqu design L43 x W43cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Power Rangers Jungle Fury Activity Case, at Marks & Spencers
This activity case holds the Power Rangers treasury, storybook, poster book and colouring book, providing hours of fun for all Power Rangers fans. It includes fun, colourful pens for colouring in the Rangers and villains as well as 2 stencils for children to create their own unique Power Rangers illustrations on paper.

3/4 Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Smart and stylish, this 3/4 sleeve shirt features a stunning stripe design. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season.

Light Control Smooth Mesh Trim Body, at Marks and Spenser
Look slimmer in seconds! This light control body gently shapes your figure all over for a smoother, sleeker silhouette

Stormwear™ Long Sleeve Hooded Jacket, at Marks and Spencer
This soft and cosy hooded jacket offers quality at an outstanding value price. It's treated with our unique Stormwear™ finish, making it resistant to water and stains.

Miele Type U Hyclean Dustbags, at Marks and Spencers
4 dustbags Capacity of 6 litres 1 x motor filter 1 x super air clean filter Suitable for S7 upright vacuum cleaners

Lino Print Monkey Age 2 Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: It's your Birthday Inside message: Happy Birthday This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 230 x 114mm

Silver Plated Elongated Puffed Heart Earrings & Necklace Set, at M & S
2 part set Clasp fastening heart style long necklace Drop style heart earrings

Parisian Chic Slim Diary, at Marks & Spencers
Week to view Dimensions: 165 x 80mm

Younger Girls' Pure Cotton Owl Pyjamas, at Mark's & Spencer
Cute and comfy, these pure cotton pyjamas are outstanding value

Collezione Pure Silk Stripe & Spot Tie, at M&S
Stylish and luxurious, this pure silk tie is part of Collezione, a sophisticated menswear collection inspired by Italian tailoring

Top Hat and Tiara Wedding Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover message: Bride and Groom Inside message: Blank for your own message This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx. size: 230 x 114mm

Square Print Pleated Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
This fab long sleeve shirt features a stunning pleated design. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season

Fabric Comfort Belt, at Marks & Spencers
Add a smart finishing touch with this fabric belt

Pure Cotton Cord Duffle Hooded Coat, at Mark & Spensers
Comfy and cosy, this cord duffle coat feels soft and warm and is great value. A practical, easycare style

5 New Lace Shorts, at Marks and Spencer
Smart, snug and easy to care for, these cosy shorts combine a flattering fit with a lace design and stretchy fabric to create the perfect knickers for day to day wear

Collezione Leather Square Toe Monk Shoes, at M&S
Square toe Stitch detail Buckle fastening Block heel

Rough Skin Shaver, at Mark & Spencers
Corn plane Pack of 10 replacement blades Corn rasp

Per Una Detachable Faux Fur Hooded Jacket, at Marks & Spensers
A fashionable long jacket featuring detachable faux fur hood. The stitch detail makes it extra stylish.

Heirloom Heart Drop Earrings, at Marks & Spencer
Hook fastening Drop style Heart design

3/4 Sleeve V-Neck Longline Stripe Jumper, at Mark's & Spencer
Fashionable and flattering, this jumper features two front pockets. Stylish, practical and fashionable

Limited Collection Knotted Strand Necklace, at Marks & Spenser
Mixed beads Multi strand design Knoted detail

Per Una Floaty Linen Trousers, at Marks&Spencer
A stylish wide leg pair of trousers featuring an on the waist design and side tab feature

Spider-man 3™ Blu-ray DVD, at Marks n Spencer
Rating Suitable for 12 years and over,

Multi Faceted Drop Earrings, at Marks & Spencer
Hook fastening Drop style Multi faceted bead design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Shopping for financial products at Marks & Spencer Money 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 Marks & Spencer Money 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 and Spencer, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

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