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 Spencers 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 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 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 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 M&S Financial Services 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 and Spenser 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, Sainsburys, or Tesco Direct:

• 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 M&S Financial Services UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

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 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 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.

Cotton Rich Bootlleg Jeans, at Marks & Spensers
Flattering and fabulous, bootcuts make legs look longer and are kind to curves. This pair sits on the waist and is designed to give a shapely feminine silhouette. Added stretch gives the perfect fit

Knee High Pointed Toe Stretch Boots, at Marks & Spencers
Pointed toe Stitch detail Knee high Heel height 70mm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Long Length Cable Knit Cardigan & Pure Cotton Jersey Top, at Marks&Spencer
Modern and pretty, this long length cable knit cardigan and pure cotton spot print jersey top look fabulously fashionable worn together or separately

Autograph Exclusive Sea Island Cotton Briefs, at Marks and Spencers
Grown form the world's rarest variety of cotton, Sea Island Cotton flourishes exclusively in the perfect climatic conditions of the West Indies. Hand-picked and gently processed, the extraordinarily long fibres - up to 52mm - are woven into a cotton fabric that boasts the remarkable softness of cashmere and the superior durability of wool

°Climate Control Pillow Protector, at Marks and Spenser
Keeps you in a comfort zone all night long Absorbs body heat, releasing when you need it Made using outlast technology, originally developed for NASA, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

The Little Mermaid Special Edition DVD, at Marks&Spencer
Rating Universal, suitable for all,

Flower Embellished Bed Set, at Marks and Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Easycare Long Sleeve Textured Shirt, at Mark & Spensers
Smart and stylish, this easycare shirt makes a practical choice for everyday wear

Per Una Cotton Rich Roma Bootleg Trousers with Belt, at Marks & Spencer
A smart pair of bootleg trousers in stretch cotton featuring a paisley print belt

Autograph Essentials Chevron Print Top, at Marks & Spencers
This sleeveless chevron print top will make a useful addition to your wardrobe. It features pretty gathered front design for a stylish casual look

5 Pure Cotton Assorted Bodysuits, at Marks and Spenser
Cute and practical, this pack of 5 bodysuits is great value. Popper fastenings and envelope necklines make quick changes easy and the soft cotton fabric will keep her feeling comfy and happy

Younger Boys' Transformers Flip Flops, at Marks and Spencers
Flat sole Slip on 'Transformers' design 2007 Hasbro

Pearl Clam Cosmetic Bag, at M & S
Double handle Zip fastening with bead pullers Detachable mirror Two inner zip sections Pearl calm design

2 Cotton Rich Strappy Vests, at Marks & Spencers
Stylish and practical, this pack of 2 strappy vests makes a great value way to stock up your underwear drawer. The soft stretchy fabric is the ideal choice for everyday wear and gives a comfortable flattering fit

Urbino Storage Footstool, at Marks & Spencers
H46 x W56 x D56cm (all dimensions are approximate) Top 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 Fabric options feature reversible cushions 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 Solid birch feet with a dark finish 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 that fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

When We're Together Book, at Marks and Spencer
Being together is fireside cuddles, it's magical stories we share, it's hearing the rain pitter-pat on the windows, squish-squashed in our favourite chair. The hare family know that being together is about sharing special moments with family and friends. From lively adventure to quiet cuddles, these shared experiences bring pleasure and joy to all

Single Egg Poacher, at Marks and Spencer
Adjustable spine Rear hook H14 x W6.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

M&S Fryer, at Marks and Spencer
1800 - 2200 watt 3 litre capacity Enamel oil tank Enamel bowl Digital timer Variable temperature control with neon indicator light Stainless steel Dimensions: H26 x W39 x D17cm 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

Collezione Pure Wool Single Breasted 3 Button Jacket, at Marks and Spencer
Each collezione suit 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 this garment to give you a feeling of luxury like no other.

Small Traditional Rag Doll, at Marks and Spencer
Not recommended for babies under 12 months Hair ribbon detail Check print dress with heart motif This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Girls' Limited Panel Dress, at Marks & Spencers
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

Large Chunky Plastic Bangle, at Mark & Spensers
Chunky design Smooth finish

Ceiling - DROPLET CEILING, at Marks & Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Panasonic HDC-SD20 Camcorder, at Mark's & Spencer
Pixels: 1.47 megapixels Zoom: 16x optical zoom / 1000x digital zoom Screen: 2.7 Wide LCD ( 230,400 pixels) Dimensions: H6.7 x W6.4 x 12.7cm Weight: 270g (without batteries and card) Recording Format: MPEG4-AVC/H.264 (AVCHD standard compliant) Audio Recording System: Dolby Digital (5.1ch) Microphone: 5.1ch Surround, Zoom mic. Media: SD/SDHC Memory Card Power Supply: DC7.2V / 9.3V

New Autograph Dogtooth Design Cardigan, at M&S
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

Per Una Roma Textured Stripe Bootleg Trousers with Belt, at Marks & Spencers
A stylish pair of bootleg trousers in stretch cotton featuring a self stripe design and buckle belt

Collezione Leather Faux Crocodile Skin Loafers, at Marks and Spencers
Square toe Stitch detail Slip on Block heel Faux crocodile skin design

Dualit Vario Sandwich Cage, at Marks n Spencer
2 handles Suitable for use with 2 or 4 slice Dualit toasters handwash only Dimensions: H30.5 x W15 x D5cm 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

Autograph Weekend Short Sleeve Front Pleat Abstract Print Top, at Mark & Spensers
Part of Autograph Weekend's Sloane trend. Casual yet sophisticated, this is weekend dressing at its most stylish. Featuring a cool colour palette of crisp navy, neutrals and red, this is an effortlessly chic look for the new season

12-Piece Ruby Dinner Set - Black, at Marks and Spencer
12-piece set - 4 crockery place settings Includes 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates and 4 cereal bowls Dinner plates: 27.5cm Side plates: 21.5cm Bowls: 16cm Fine china Stripe design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Financial Services. Not least of these is M & S Standard Car Insurance. With M&S Financial Services 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 Financial Services, which also has other features.

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