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 Mark & 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 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.

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 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 Home 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 Home 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.

Marks & Spencer 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 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 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&Spencer insurance products in document format too.

Anthony the Bear Thank You Teacher Card, at Marks n Spencer
Cover text: To a Special Teacher! Inside message: Thank you! Approx size: 178 x 126mm

BT Freestyle 750 Twin Cordless Phones with Answering Machine, at Marks and Spencers
GAP compatible Answering machine with 15 minutes recording time 50 name and number directory 10 number calls list 5 number redial list Low energy power supply and recyclable packaging Caller display function Handsfree function 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

12-Piece Lyon Dinner Set, at Marks and Spencer
12-piece set Includes 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates and 4 cereal bowls Dinner plate: Diam 28cm Side plate: Diam 21cm Cereal bowl: H8 x Diam 14cm Rib detail, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Blossom Tree Embroidered Quilt, at Mark's & Spencer
L150 x W200cm Quilted Embroidered blossom tree design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Formula Moisturising Age Repair Toner, at Mark & Spencers
Targets wrinkles and fine lines Hypoallergenic Suitable for all skin types Alcohol free Ceramide for younger looking skin Zinc complex to normalise and balance Witch hazel to tone and refresh 200ml

La Source Chablis 2006 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spensers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Chardonnay Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians 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

Collezione Double Buckle Luxury Briefcase, at M&S
Perfectly designed to meet your professional needs, this sleek briefcase is the ideal solution for keeping those important documents stored and organised

Pearl Effect Waterfall Necklace, at Mark & Spencers
Pearl effect beads Multi strand design Adjustable length with clasp fastening Length: 41cm

Tortoise Sorry It's Late Card, at Marks and Spenser
Cover text: Sorry it's late 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: 175 x 127mm

Linen Miracle™ Flat Front Trousers, at M&S
These lightweight flat front trousers are the perfect choice for warmer weather. They're made from a revolutionary crease resistant linen blend. It's easy to iron and doesn't crease like linen but has the same look and feel

Rockridge Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Screw cap 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

Older Boys' Cotton Rich Motor Hero Shorties, at Mark's & Spencer
Made from comfortable, breathable cotton, these motor hero shorties are outstanding value

Girls' Limited Bold Stripe Tie Cardigan, at Marks & Spencer
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

Natural Beauty Moisturising Lip Butter, at Marks & Spencers
Naturally flavoured Free from all PEGs, synthetic preservatives and colours 15ml

3 Pairs of Older Boys' Cotton Rich Assorted Chunky Knit Socks, at Marks and Spencer
Comfortable, practical and fashionable, this 3 pack of chunky knit socks are made with soft breathable cotton

Pink Birthday Cocktails Card, at Mark & Spencers
Cover text: Birthday Cocktails Inside message: Hope your birthday is full of fun! This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 178 x 125mm

Samsung 32'' LE32B450 HD Ready LCD TV, at M+S
HD Ready: This TV is able to display sharper, clearer and more vibrant High Definition images when connected to an HD compatible device Display: 32 inch Widescreen LCD TV, 1366 x 768 resolution Contrast Ratios: High Contrast Integrated Digital Tuner: Provides access to all Freeview™ terrestrial digital channels and radio stations (subject to coverage in your area) Dimensions: W797.7 x H84.8 x D530.5mm (without stand) W797.7 x D576.5 x H252mm (with stand) Weight: 11.4kg (with stand), 9.1kg (without stand) SRS TruSurround XT: For enhanced surround sound effect Connectors: 1 x Scart, 2 x HDMI, RF input, Composite(AV), PCMCIA Card Slot, PC input (D-sub) DNIe+ Technology: The Digital Natural Image Engine produces images with incredible depth and density. Advanced contrast and detail enhancers combine to produce deeper richer lifelike colours Wide Colour Enhancer 2: Primary colours are strengthened to increase depth and intensity to show pictures in all their natural beauty Clear Panel Prevents glare to keep images clean and clear Anynet+: The Anynet+ system allows control of a SAMSUNG Anynet+ TV via one single remote control 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 Please Note: Freeview™ is not yet available to the whole of the UK. We advise that you check that your postcode area can receive the Freeview signal before ordering this product Please Note: To receive the full range of Freeview™ channels, customers should use an outdoor wide band aerial. Suitable portable TV aerials can be used to receive Freeview but the quality of the reception is dependent on the quality of the product and the signal area. Due to these factors you may not receive all Freeview channels when using an indoor aerial This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more Use wall mount

M&S 900W Combi Microwave, Convection Oven & Grill, at Marks and Spencers
25-litre interior capacity 10 variable power levels, including defrost 900W microwave power output, 1200W grill, 2000W fan-assisted convection oven Heating category E (MAFF rating for cooking time) Stainless steel cavity with mirrored front Dimensions: H31 x W51 x D44cm 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 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

Machine Washable Spot Design Tie, at Marks and Spencer
No more trips to the drycleaners! This smart striped tie is machine washable

Per Una Widefit Double Band Shoes, at M&S
2 band design Buckle detail Low heel Heel height 57mm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Autograph High Cage Sandal, at Marks & Spencer
Open toe Rip tape fastening High heel Heel height 80mm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Flock Heart Wedding Card, at Mark's & Spencer
Cover text: WEDDING Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: Unfolded: 178 x 126 mm

Signature Filled Glass Candle, at Marks & Spencer
One of these designer-inspired signature filled candles will look fantastic on your bedside table. A simple, tasteful addition to your decor in scented clove and orange, natural cotton or plum and rhubarb

Big Brother Badge Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: I'm a big brother Big bro... bruv... big brother... bro... big bruv... big brother... bruv A teeny-tiny baby Has just moved in to stay, Someone to take care of And to play with every day - Someone who will look to you To see how things are done Being a big brother Sure will be a lot of fun! This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 230 x 114mm

Ribbon Blossom 'Thinking of You' Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Thinking of you Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 150mm x 150mm

Burn After Reading Blu-ray DVD, at Mark's & Spencer
Rating Suitable for 15 years and over,

Philips Power2Charge Universal USB Charger, at Marks and Spencer
The plug is designed in such a way that it can be folded when not in use to increase portability when on the go Via the illuminated Philips logo, you are informed about the charging status of your device. When the Philips logo starts flashing you know your device is fully charged, so you can unplug it from the power outlet and prevent unnecessary energy consumption The travel bag supplied with this device is both convenient and useful as it provides extra protection Once they are charged, a protection circuit ensures no more power is provided to the batteries of your portable device With built-in short-circuit protection, there is no risk of damaging your device. The built-in protection quickly shuts off the output Power input voltage: 100-240 V Power output voltage: 5.6 V Heavy metals: Cd free, Hg free, Pb free Dimensions: H7 x W5.6 x D5.2cm Weight: 0.07 kg

Secret Support™ Lace Trim DD-G Vest, at Marks & Spenser
Flattering and feminine, this lace trim vest is made with Secret Support™ which gives gentle support and a flattering, defined shape. A soft, comfortable style

Perfect Twin Buckle Tote Bag, at M & S
Add a shiny splash of colour and style to your work suits with this great value patent bag. The perfect mood lifter!

Artificial Cream Orchid, at Marks and Spencers
Artificial orchids No watering required therefore easy care Fresh looking throughout the year Height: 83cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Shopping for financial products at M+S Money UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks & 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 Car Insurance, M&S Home 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 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.