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 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 & Spencer, through its M&S Money Direct 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.

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

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

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

• M&S Insurance: M&S Car Insurance, M&S Buildings 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 Money Direct in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the M&S Money Direct website.

Leon Jackson - Right Now CD, at MarksandSpencer
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Baby Girl Shelf New Baby Card, at Marks and Spenser
Cover text: Baby girl Inside message: With love Approx size: 150 x 150mm This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future

Weekend Leather Boxy Bag, at Marks and Spencers
Recommended in LOOK magazine Gorgeously glossy, this weekend bag is a must-have for stylish overnight stays and mini breaks. Patent leather gives an irresistibly luxe look and feel

5 Pairs of Assorted Marl Stripe Ankle High Socks, at Marks and Spencer
Perfect for everyday wear, these great value socks feature added stretch to provide a long lasting fit and comfort

Modern Squares Bathmats, at Marks & Spencers
Square pattern Bathmat: L80 x W50cm Pedestal: L55 x W50cm Bathmat and pedestal mat must be purchased separately, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Heritage Collection - Floor Lamp, at Mark's & Spencer
Conical pleated shade Glass bauble stem Antique brass effect Round chunky 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

Via Ulivi Pinot Grigio Venezie 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Grigio & Garganega Country of origin: Italy Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.5 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Fresh Rose Pot Pourri Box, at Mark's & Spencer
Fresh rose scented Presented in a box, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Ruched V-Neck Top, at Marks & Spencer
Stylish and versatile, this ruched v-neck top is made from cool comfortable cotton

Double Layer Beaded Tie Tunic, at Marks & Spencer
Modern and stylish, this cardigan features a single button fastening. A versatile, easywear style

Abalone Pendant Necklace & Drop Earrings, at Marks & Spencer
Multi bead pendant necklace with clasp fastening Hook fastening earrings Abalone design

Cotton Rich Check Pyjama Bottoms, at Marks&Spencer
Fashionable and modern, these soft cotton rich check pyjamas are designed to be mixed and matched. Relax in style and comfort

Per Una Lip Liner, at M&S
Soft creamy texture Comes complete with brush Hypoallergenic Carmine free and GMO free Animal Free - No ingredients of animal origin

Thomas The Tank Engine Watch, at Marks and Spencers
Buckle fastening Round face 'Thomas The Tank' motif Analogue 2009 Gullane (Thomas) Limited

Per Una Bootleg Patent Ombre Belt Jeans, at Marks & Spencer
Comes with belt shown in image A stylish pair of roma bootleg trousers in soft cotton rich fabric. Multiple pockets and detachable patent ombre belt give it the Per Una touch

Animal Print Padded Bra, at M+S
Smooth and versatile, this animal print bra is ideal for everyday wear. Underwiring and padding give an uplifted and enhanced natural shape

Green Tip Sport Sunglasses, at Marks and Spencer
Practical and fashionable, these wraparound sunglasses are designed in a flattering modern

Portfolio V-Neck Ditsy Floral Print Dress, at Marks & Spencer
Feminine and pretty, this v-neck dress features a ditsy floral print. A fabulous fashionable look

Square Neck Hexagon Print Top, at Marks & Spencers
Smart and stylish, this square neck top features a colourful hexagon print. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season

Humax PVR-9150T Digital Television Recorder with 160GB HDD & Twin Tuner, at M&S
Digital terrestrial set-top box Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel Access to Freeview+ channels Simultaneous playback of previous recording and recording of 2 channels Up to 100 hours of recording on an integrated 160GB HDD MPEG-2 Digital & Fully DVB-T Compliant Picture In Picture (PIP) for viewing 2 programs on 1 screen Pause & Play live TV (Time Shift Recording) One touch record scheduling in EPG Common Interface for Pay TV Software Upgrade via OTA & serial connection (RS-232C) Dimensions: W36 x H5 x D24.5cm Weight: 2.9kg

Pink Sketchy Flowers Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Happy birthday Inside message: Have a lovely day Approx size: 174 x 126mm

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

Baroque Jacquard Cushion, at M&S
L43 x W43cm Baroque design Square shape, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Assorted Charm Bracelet, at Mark's & Spencer
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Assorted charms

Compton Coffee Table, at Marks & Spensers
H45 x W90 x D90cm 1 fixed shelf Made from White Oak solids and veneers Hand distressed, with the distressing aged with dark patina Mid-brown stained finish, followed by 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Solid hardwood legs Side panels, door panels, back panels made from oak veneer. Top panels made from oak veneer with a 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. SAVE ON SETS Save at least 25% when you buy this table as part of a set. Click here to view the Compton Collection Set. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Mirrored Leaves Wall Art, at Marks&Spencer
Wire tree design Mirror leaf design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Waffle Dressing Gown, at Marks & Spenser
Pretty and feminine, this dressing gown is made from pure cotton. Relax in style and comfort

Cashmilon™ Long Sleeve Ribbed Trim Cardigan, at Marks n Spencer
Fashionable and flattering, this long sleeve cardigan is made from supersoft cashmilon™ and features a button fastening

Limited Collection Wetlook Leggings, at Marks and Spencer
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

Sony Bravia 40'' KDL-40E4000 HD Ready Picture Frame LCD TV, at Marks & Spenser
HD Ready 1080p: Displays images in Full HD 1080p, the maximum resolution defined for HDTV use, when connected to an HD compatible device Display: 40 inch LCD with 6.2 megapixel resolution Contrast Ratio: Dynamic contrest 33,000:1 Integrated Digital & Cable Tuner: Provides access to all Freeview™ terrestrial digital channels and radio stations (subject to coverage in your area) Dimensions: W100.6 x 69.5 x 28.3cm (with stand), 100.6 x 64.5 x 11.4cm (without stand Weight: 22kg (with stand), 19kg (without stand) Surround Sound Effect: BBE ViVA high quality sound and built-in Virtual Dolby creating the effect of full surround sound from only 2 front speakers Connectors: 3 x HDMI, 2 x scart (RGB), 1 x component, PC Input (15pin D-Sub) + Audio In, PCMCIA Card Slot, Digital Audio Output (optical), 3.5mm MiniJack (Head/Earphone), RCA Audio Out, USB 2.0 Input, Composite RCA AV Input, RF In (HDMI and Scart cables sold separately) BRAVIA Engine 2: Experience incredibly clear and defined images with BRAVIA ENGINE 2 picture enhancement technology and Advanced Contrast Enhancer Live Colour Creation with x.v.Colour: Uses a larger colour palette to produce vibrant colour like nature intended it to be seen 24p True Cinema: Shows films at 24 frames per second just like a real cinema Xross Media Bar: A new Sony interface that's easier to operate Picture Frame Mode: When you are not watching TV, display one of the 6 pre-installed masterpieces or show one of your own photos uploaded via the USB input BRAVIA Theatre Sync: Synchronises your Sony theatre system so it can be operated by the press of a single button 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 Use wall mount T042104 to perfectly mount this TV This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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