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

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 Marks and Spencers are so useful. M&S Financial Services financial products are, of course, designed to make Mark & Spencers 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, Property Insurance policies. Usually, UK Property 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 Financial Services Property 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 Financial Services Property Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

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

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

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

Planted Orchid, at Marks and Spencers
Simply stunning, this white, double-stemmed phalaenopsis orchid is planted and dressed with brushed twigs in a chic, silver ceramic pot Available for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

Painterly Church Wedding Card, at Mark's & Spencer
Cover text: From this day forward Inside message: With love on your wedding day Approx size: 150 x 150mm

3 Pairs of 40 Denier Opaque Ankle Highs, at Marks and Spencers
Durable and comfortable, these plain ankle highs are ideal for every day wear

Limited Collection Zebra Print Tunic, at Marks & Spencers
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

Las Falleras Duo - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencer
3 Las Falleras White 2008:A fresh, lively and dry example of Spanish Macabeo... 3 Las Falleras Red 2008:Bright and youthful with a lively aroma and flavour... You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

M&S 6-Bottle Wine Chiller/Warmer, at Marks & Spencer
6 bottle chiller and warmer Stores red or white wine Temperature range 7 C to 18 C Includes 12V car adaptor Dimensions: H44 x W41 x D28cm 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

Pure Cotton Hooded Reversible Jacket, at Marks & Spencer
Soft fabrics, fashionable designs and cute finishing touches make our babywear range outstanding. This high quality, great value reversible jacket is designed to keep baby looking adorable and feeling comfy and happy

Girl and Dog Birthday Cards with Charm Bracelet, at Marks&Spencer
Cover text: Happy Birthday...to you! 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 Not suitable for children under 36 months due to small parts which pose a choking hazard Approx size: 150 x 215mm

Stainless Steel Frying Pan, at Marks n Spencer
Tempered glass lid Diam 24cm Non-stick coating Stainless steel construction Riveted handle Encapsulate base for even heat distribution Suitable for use on all cooker and hob types, except induction, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Pure Cashmere Knitted Scarf, at Marks&Spencer
Indulge in a touch of luxury with this pure cashmere knitted scarf. It looks and feels gorgeous and comes in a range of beautiful colours so you'll be able to accessorise every outfit

Autograph Best Pure Silk Spray Tie, at Marks & Spenser
Fashionable and contemporary, this pure silk tie is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Designer style and luxury at high street prices

Sleeveless Twin Button Dress, at Marks and Spencer
Sleek and chic, this sleeveless dress is tailored to fit and flatter. A stylish choice for work or smart occasions and it's machine washable for added convenience

3 Piece Pure Cotton Hooded Gilet Outfit, at Marks & Spensers
Soft cotton fabrics, fashionable designs and cute finishing touches make our babywear range outstanding. These high quality, great value outfits are designed to keep baby looking adorable and feeling comfy and happy

Firm Control Body, at M&S
Look slimmer in seconds! This firm control body gently shapes your figure all over for a smoother, sleeker silhouette

Blue Harbour Long Sleeve Self Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
Relaxed and casual, this Blue Harbour self stripe shirt is made from a modal blend so it feels exceptionally comfortable to wear. Modal is a luxuriously soft fabric made from natural plant fibres

Summer Jazz CD, at Marks and Spencer
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Puff Sleeve Dress with Belt, at Marks & Spencers
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

Cotton Rich Micro Spot Summer Trilby, at Mark & Spensers
This season's hottest hat is the trilby, making this example the perfect way to get the look. It's stylishly detailed with contrast trim detail and looks fantastic with this season's styles

Per Una Floral Print Frill Blouse, at Mark & Spencers
An elegant short sleeve blouse in a soft cotton blend. Frill detail gives it the Per Una touch

Collezione Luxury Wool Rich Trousers with Cashmere, at Marks & Spencer
Italian style is renowned for its attention to detail. Each collezione piece is designed with that same passion, using the finest fabrics and best tailoring techniques. Inspired by Italian flair, we've lavished time and care on these trousers to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

Fresh Rose Pot Pourri Bag, at Marks & Spencer
Fresh rose fragrance, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Pintuck Top, at Marks & Spensers
A feminine 3/4 sleeve top featuring pintuck and ruffle detail

Special Princess Age 3 Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: To a very special little princess 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: 175 x 127 mm

Sheer Blush Eau De Toilette 90ml, at M&S
90ml Eau De Toilette Sheer blush fragrance

Single Medium Wine Glass, at M+S
Medium wine glass 32cl H21.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

3 Cool & Fresh Pure Cotton Assorted Boxers, at Marks & Spenser
Made from soft breathable cotton, these comfy cool and fresh stripe boxers are ideal for everyday wear

Ingredients Coconut Body Butter, at Marks & Spensers
Body butter Coconut scent 200ml

Florentyna Bath Crystals, at Marks and Spenser
250g Florentyna fragrance

Jewelled Collection - Bedside Lamp, at Marks&Spencer
Faux silk shade Facetted glass design Chunky base D18 x H35cm Bulb: 40W or 8W CFL, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Glass Column Table Lamp, at Mark & Spencers
Glass column stem feature Square base This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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