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&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 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.

Marks and 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 Marks and Spencers 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 and Spencer insurance products in document format too.

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 Money financial products are, of course, designed to make M&S 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, Home Insurance policies. Usually, UK Home 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 Money Home 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 Money Home Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Autograph Leather Buckled Monk Shoes, at Marks and Spencer
Square toe Punched hole detail Buckle fastening Stitch detail Block heel

Pure Cotton Moleskin Jacket, at M+S
Practical and fashionable, this mid length jacket is made from easycare cotton. Its contemporary styling will keep you looking sleek and chic season after season

Watercolour Floral 80th Birthday Card, at Mark's & Spencer
Cover text: Happy 80th Birthday Inside message: Congratulations on your special day Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Sony Stamina Plus AA Alkaline Batteries - Pack of 4, at Marks and Spencers
Voltage (V): 1.5 Cells per pack: 4 Size: AA / LR6 Ideal for high power applications which require intense and durable energy such as portable hifi, toys & audio devices *Must be returned with the tamper seal intact for full refund

Autograph Mousse Eye Shadow, at Marks and Spencer
4ml Hypo-allergenic

Pots and Containers Book, at Marks and Spencer
A beautiful range of 5 gardening titles, full of inspiring ideas and tips both for the novice and more experienced gardener. From pots and small backyards to larger gardens, feel confident in choosing the right flowers and shrubs for the right place all year round! Packed full of wonderful colour photography, these books will prepare and motivate you to garden

Sonoma Office Desk Tidy, at Marks & Spencer
2 drawers Fixed glass shelf Both desk tidy and desk are pictured. Desk sold separately H16 x W106 x D22.5cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more SAVE ON SETS Save at least 25% when you buy this desk tidy as part of a set. Click here to view the Sonoma Office Collection Set. , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Gold Plated Hooped Drop Earrings, at Mark & Spensers
Butterfly fastening Hoop design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Pure Cotton Ditsy Print Mock Layer Top, at Mark & Spensers
It looks like a shirt and knitted top, but this fashionable mock layered design is just one piece. The ditsy floral print adds a stylish touch.

Animal Print Band Hipster Bikini Bottoms, at Marks and Spencer
Modern and sassy, these stylish bikini bottons feature a striking animal print band. The ultimate in poolside glamour

Triple Bead Drop Earrings, at Marks & Spencer
Hook fastening Drop style Triple bead design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

First Readers Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at Marks and Spenser
The wicked Queen has a magic mirror which tells her that she is the fairest in the land. But one day, the mirror answers that Snow White is the fairest. What will happen to Snow White? First Readers Story Books are ideal for beginner readers. The fun of shared story-telling will help develop your child's vital early reading skills

Nord Sud Rhône Syrah-Grenache 2006 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape Variety: Syrah, Grenache Country: France Closure: Natural cork Bottle: 6 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

Andrew Lloyd Webber - 60 At 60 CD, at Marks & Spencers
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Loretto - LORR F/STOOL S/P, at Mark & Spencers
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Cats Eye Dome Ring, at Mark's & Spencer
Chunky style Cats eye design

Music Mad Grabs Game, at Marks and Spencer
Number of players: 3+ Suitable for ages 8+ Contains: 72 game cards, 90 song name cards, instructions Approx. card size: 58 x 88mm This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Outline Leaf Bikini Briefs, at Mark's & Spencer
Glamorous and sophisticated, these gorgeous briefs are fashionably detailed with a floral design. A sleek, shapely look

Per Una Speziale Cheek Colour, at Marks & Spencers
Soft powder Illuminating Embossed motif Hypoallergenic Comes in 2 colours

Ashbourne Storage Footstool, at Marks & Spencer
H46 x W68 x D58cm all dimensions are approximate) Top cushion 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 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™ - 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

Autograph Pure Cashmere Polo Neck Jumper, at Marks & Spencer
Sophisticated and modern, this polo neck jumper is made from pure cashmere for the ultimate in luxuriously soft knitwear

Winchester Collection - Floor Lamp, at Marks and Spencer
Conical shade Ridged top Round base 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

Samsung 50'' PS50B551 TV HD Ready LCD Crystal TV™, at Marks and Spencer
HD Ready 1080p: Displays images in Full HD 1080p, the maximum resolution defined for HDTV use, when connected to an HD compatible device Display: 50 inch LCD screen, 1920 x 1080 resolution Contrast Ratio (TBD): 30,000:1 (TBD) Integrated Digital Tuner: Provides access to all Freeview™ terrestrial digital channels and radio stations (subject to coverage in your area) Dimensions: W124 x H82.2 x D29cm (with stand), W124 x H76.6 x D7.4cm (without stand) Weight: 38.4kg (with stand), 33.4kg (without stand) SRS TruSurround HD: SRS Trusurround HD & Dolby Digital Plus Connectors: 3 x HDMI , 2 x scart, 1 x RF Input, 1 x component, 1 x PC input, 1 x digital audio (Optical), Headphone jack 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 Filterbright Panel FilterBright is a powerful anti-reflective film that absorbs external light and transmits internal light, thereby increasing the contrast levels and preventing unwanted reflection in bright daylight Use wall mount T042104 to perfectly mount this TV, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

4 Sennen Mugs - Blue, at M&S
4 piece set Contrast design H11 x Diam 9cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Rib Stripe Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
This luxurious shirt is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Its fine quality and careful attention to detail make it a superior and stylish modern classic

Jacquard Guipure Non-Padded Underwired Minimiser Bra, at M+S
Soft and comfortable, this minimiser bra de-emphasises your bust with gentle shaping. A flattering, supportive style

3 Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Polo Shirts, at Marks and Spencer
This pack of easycare shirts is outstanding value. They're made from pure cotton, perfect if you prefer a natural fabric

Perfect Leather Square Buckle Belt, at Marks & Spenser
Simple and stylish, in soft luxurious leather, you can wear this belt with jeans or a suit

Trailing Flower Curtains, at Marks and Spencer
Pencil pleat Trailing chrysanthemum design Lined Comes in standard 168cm/66in (STD) and wider 219cm/86in (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

No VPL Spot Print Shorts, at Marks and Spencer
VPL is a thing of the past! These stretchy shorts are perfectly smooth and give the ultimate no-show look. They don't dig in and there are no irritating labels, so they feel incredibly comfortable to wear

Besides M+S Car Insurance, M&S Money Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Money Home 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 Money 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 Spenser purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Money Premier Home Insurance and Standard Home 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.