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 Spencers, through its M&S Finance website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Motor Insurance, M&S Household Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

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

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

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

Besides Marks and Spenser Motor Insurance, M&S Finance Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Finance Household Insurance deserves particular mention, with it being particularly good value for money, and providing extra insurance cover that many UK insurance companies either don't provide at all, or would charge extra for.

With M&S Finance Premier Contents policy, for example, student's belongings are not only covered at home, but also at college or university. Additionally, dependent relatives are also covered if their belongings happen to be in a nursing home. Even better still, your Marks and Spencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Finance Premier Household Insurance and Standard Household Insurance policies, you can choose to include Contents Away From Home. This option would then provide valuable cover all of your personal belongings on a worldwide basis.

Sony HTP-B350IS Home Theatre System, at Marks & Spencers
Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Disc player - outputs HD1080p / 24p True Cinema picture, plus upscales existing DVD's to give you the best quality when using the HDMI connection 5.1 channel surround sound system with 450W total power output Cut equipment clutter and enjoy massive sound from speakers no bigger than a golf ball 3 HDMI™ inputs (1 out) with pass through of High Definition 1080p plus x.v. Colour and 24p True Cinema technology that adjusts picture settings on pass through to make movies look as authentic as the original Sony DIGITAL MEDIA PORT - connect to and release digital music stored on your WALKMAN or other mp3 players, mobile phones, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices 3x optical inputs for connectivity to set-top boxes and gaming consoles S-AIR Ready - an optional extra that enables you to go wireless and enjoy a cable free environment (rear speakers only) Multimedia guaranteed with BD-ROM/R/RE, DVD-+Video/R/RW, CD Playback, AVCHD Playback BD-Live ready: Just connect the player to the internet and download the latest firmware to access studio-specific online content including trailers, interviews and other extras through your Blu-ray Disc™ Player. The Quick Start-up mode enables you to enjoy your Blu-ray movies already after just six seconds (6 sec). The new XrossMediaBar™ guarantuees an easy to understand menu control, simple for everybody to use intuitively all of the players functions With 24p True Cinema you can sit back and watch the film like in real cinema, without length or quality losses New Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology that converts standard-definition signals (480i) to 1080p and outputs a full HD equivalent resolution signal to 1080p TVs via HDMI™

Large Rectangle Face Watch, at Marks and Spencer
Buckle fastening Analogue Rectangle face

Autograph Weekend Cotton Rich Skinny Jeans, at Marks & 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

Per Una Stripe Print Chiffon Dress, at Mark's & Spencer
An elegant sleeveless chiffon dress, featuring empire line and stripe design

2 Maternity Cotton Rich Nursing Bras, at M&S
With drop down cups perfectly designed to see you through the nursing period, this supportive bra offers lasting comfort thanks to the soft, breathable qualities of a pure cotton weave

125 Years Tea Mug, at Mark's & Spencer
Retro style Part of the Commemorative Collection, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Floral Great Grandma Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: To a precious Great Grandma have a lovely day Inside message: With lots of love

Formula Age Restructure Eye Cream, at Marks and Spencers
Intensive silky smooth eye cream for the 60+ complexion Brazilian ginseng, Marapuama and white lily complex to target dark circles and puffiness around the eyes Calcium complex to firm and improve the structure of the sagging skin Collageneer a lupin extract to strengthen and improve skin elasticity Suitable for all skin types Hypoallergenic 15ml

Nature du Rhône 2007, Côtes du Rhône - Case of 12, at MarksandSpencer
Style: Dry, medium bodied Country of origin: France Grape variety: Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.5 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.8 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

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

Cotton Square Panel Shade, at M&S
Angled flat sides Fitted with reversible carrier to allow use as a pendant or table lamp shade Fits to your existing bulbholder No wiring necessary H30 x W31 x Depth 31cm Bulb: 100W GLS This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Sonoma Coffee Table, at Mark's & Spencer
H45 x L136 x W50cm Toughened glass lower shelf Made from solid oak and oak veneer This range features natural wood characteristics Finished with 2 coats durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Top panel is veneered with solid Oak edging for strength All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Why use veneers? Unlike solid timber, veneer does not twist/warp/split to the same degree. Only the finest logs are used in veneer production. It is environmentally sound and traditional - much of the finest cabinetry in the world is veneered Care & Cleaning - Wipe with a soft clean cloth and use a mild furniture cleaner or polish occasionally. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Rasteau 2007 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencers
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre 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 Cotton Floral Print Nightdress, at Marks and Spencer
Pretty and feminine, this floral print nightdress is made from soft breathable cotton for a comfortable night's sleep

Andante Round Pasta Bowl, at Marks and Spenser
Ideal for everyday use, durable Plain Diam 23cm H4.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Etched Floral Balcony Bra, at Mark & Spensers
Fun and fabulous, this bra is part of our Limited Collection lingerie. For a funky look, mix and match with coordinating lingerie from Limited. Casual, contemporary fashion

Short Sleeve Spot Print Cardigan, at Marks and Spencers
Modern and stylish, this cardigan features a spot print. A versatile, easywear style

Liebfraumilch 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Medium bodied Grape variety: Mixed White Country of origin: Germany Closure: Screw cap Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 10.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 7.9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.3 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Airflex™ Leather Saddle Moccasin Shoes, at Marks and Spencer
Round toe Stitch detail Slip-on Low block heel Unique Airflex™ airflow system for unbeatable comfort

Philips ID9372B Cordless Phone with Answering Machine, at M&S
250 name and number phonebook 50 SMS storage capacity 30 call log entries 15 minutes recording time Plug and play answering machine Call waiting Tone and pulse dialling Enhanced speakerphone for real-life hands-free conversations Free intercom Registers up to 4 handsets to one base White backlit inverse display SIM-card copying facility GAP compatible Caller ID and microphone mute feature

Silver Band Champagne Flute, at M & S
Silver band Flute style Long stem Wide base Height: 27.5cm Capacity: 17cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Silk Multi Spot Tie, at Marks&Spencer
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this contemporary spot detail tie in pure silk

Letters on a String New Baby Boy Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Baby boy Message: Congratulations! Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Underwired Pin Spot Lace Minimiser Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Soft and comfortable, this minimiser bra gently shapes your bust to make it look smaller. A flattering, supportive style

Diamanté Towelling Mule Slippers, at Marks & Spencer
Mule style Diamant detail Slip-on

Autograph Merano 2-Seater Unit (Right-Hand Arm), at Marks & Spencer
H84 x W172 x D102cm Seat H47cm, arm H63cm, top back rail H63cm (all dimension are approximate) Seat cushions made from shape-retaining foam with extra-thick fibre wrap - 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 have 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 Glide feet with a dark finish All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence™ - 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

Portland Footstool, at Mark & Spencers
H37 x W119 x D79cm (all dimensions are approximate) Cushion filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support 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 Feet are castors 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 08457 624 624 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

Kitchens Shopping List, at Marks & Spensers
1 magnetic shopping list (approx. 30 sheets of paper) 1 black ink pen (non refillable) Approx. size: 135 x 255mm

Salads For Summer, at Marks & Spensers
"Take the worry out of healthy menu planning with this collection of fresh, fast and simple salads for all occasions. You'll find tantalizing ideas for vegetable, fruit, meat, poultry and seafood salads that require minimum effort for maximum results. All the classic recipes are included, plus plenty of tempting new ideas, making this the most useful salad book to have in your kitchen."

Faux Leopard Skin Waist Belt, at Marks & Spensers
Define your waistline with this fashionable faux leopard skin waist belt

M&S Finance offers a variety of financial and insurance products, but Motor Insurance is something that almost everyone needs - at least if you own a car. Unfortunately there are so many companies offering Motor Insurance today that, after a while, one policy may begin to look much like the next.

Thinking that most Motor 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 Motor Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Motor Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M&S Finance Motor Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Motor 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 Motor Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Motor Insurance plans from companies such as Direct Line, Sainsbury's, 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 Motor 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 Finance UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.