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 n 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 M&S Financial Services website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Car 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.

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

When you're shopping at M&S 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 Financial Services. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings & Contents Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks and Spenser than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from M&S Financial Services. 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 Financial Services, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Financial Services 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."

3 Cool & Fresh Cotton Rich Assorted Trunks, at Marks and Spenser
Made from soft breathable cotton, these comfy trunks are ideal for everyday wear.

3 Button Chunky Knit Swing Cardigan, at Marks & Spencer
Fashionable and flattering, this cardigan features a chunky knit for a smart modern look

2 Piece Pure Cotton Tie Waist Joggers, at M+S
These cute joggers are outstanding value. Hardwearing, practical and comfortable

Classic Collection Floral Print Nightdress, at Marks n Spencer
Fresh and feminine, this nightdress is made from a soft cotton blend so it feels comfortable to sleep in. The floral print adds a pretty touch

Blue Sketchy Floral Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: Happy Birthday Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 140 x 340mm

Garden Noughts & Crosses, at Marks and Spencer
Contains: 5 noughts, 5 crosses, 4 wooden strips to make up grid, instructions Noughts: 120mm diameter Crosses: 120 x 120mm Grid: 520 x 530mm

Patch Jacquard Cushion, at Marks & Spensers
Rectangular Patch jacquard design L60 x W43cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Perfect Blue Harbour Suede Bomber Jacket, at Marks and Spencer
A style classic at a great price. This jacket is made from real suede and has a lightly padded lining and knitted rib collar for extra comfort

125 Years Fruit Jellies Mug, at Marks and Spencer
Fruit jelly design 'Marks & Spencer Fruit Jellies' slogan, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Daughter Sequin Shoes Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: Birthday Wishes to a Wonderful Daughter Inside message: With lots of love on your birthday Approx size: 175 x 125mm This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Frill Front Blouse, at Mark & Spencers
A feminine short sleeve blouse in a textured fabric featuring a ruffle front and self stripe design

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

Crozes Hermitage 2007 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spenser
Style: Medium bodied Grape variety: Syrah Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 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

Cherry Stoner, at M&S
Length 16cm Hand held design This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Cotton Rich Low Rise Spot Print Shorts, at M+S
Low rise shorts are perfect for wearing with hipster styles and these stylish spot print shorts are shapely and modern. Added stretch gives a comfortable, flattering fit

Bay Tree, at Marks and Spenser
An evergreen bay tree for outside display. Also known as Laurel, wreaths of this aromatic plant were used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans to crown victors. Not only will this tree look fantastic in your garden or patio, the leaves will add extra flavour to your cooking tooAvailable for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

Brush Stripe Pencil Pleat Curtains, at Marks and Spenser
Textured stripe design Lined Comes in standard 168cm/66'' (STD) and wider 219cm/86'' (WDR) widths Also comes in three drop lengths: short (137cm/54''), medium (183cm/72''), long (229cm/90'') How to measure for window dressings: Click here for a guide to measuring for curtains, pelmets and roman blinds., Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Handwoven Ribbed Eyelet Curtains, at Marks and Spencer
Unlined Comes in standard 130cm/51in (STD) and wider 168cm/66in (WDR) widths Also comes in three drop lengths: short (137cm/54in), medium (183cm/72in), 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

Per Una Long Sleeve Double Breasted Cardigan, at Marks and Spenser
A modern double breasted cardigan featuring a notch lapel collar

Nudes Plain Underwired Bra, at Marks & Spencers
Every woman needs underwear that looks invisible under clothing. Everyone's skin tone is different, so after some research into skin tones we've come up with Body Nudes, a range of flattering shades to suit everyone. Body Nudes is soft and comfy with no visible lumps or bumps, so you can be sure your clothes will look their best

2 Melamine Mixing Bowls, at Marks and Spencer
Set of 2 Plain Pouring spout, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Grand Enclos de Ceron 2006 - Case of 6, at Mark's & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.1 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.7 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Pure Silk Floral Tie, at M&S
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this smart floral tie in pure silk

Ethnic Cateye Stretch Bracelet, at Marks and Spencer
Mixed bead design Stretch style

Per Una Leather Three Button Pumps, at Marks & Spencers
Round toe Button detail Slip on Flat sole Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton T-Shirt, at M&S
Fashionable and relaxed, this plain t-shirt is made from pure cotton so it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Halterneck Sailor Stripe Swimsuit, at Marks and Spencers
Sleek and modern, this fashionable swimsuit features a sailor stripe panel. Designed to fit and flatter

Girls' Limited Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Slogan T-Shirt, at M & S
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

Gingham Trim Crook Umbrella, at Marks and Spencers
Brighten up rainy days with this stylish lightweight umbrella

Limited Collection Side Button Leggings, 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

M+S may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Buildings & Contents Insurance or Car Insurance, but Marks and Spenser 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 Financial Services 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 M&S Financial Services loans, credit cards or Buildings & Contents Insurance - besides a number of other insurance products, M&S Financial Services 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 Financial Services insurance products (Buildings & Contents 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 & Spencer insurance products in document format too.