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 Spenser 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 & 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 Car Insurance, M&S Property Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

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

Also, on both M&S Finance Premier Property Insurance and Standard Property 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.

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

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from Marks and Spencer, 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.

Photo Beer Brother-in-Law Birthday Card, at Mark & Spensers
Cover text: Birthday cheers! Brother-in-Law (Label on bottle: Cheers to you a full bodied mature bloke) Inside Message: With lots of love Happy birthday Approx size: 175 x 126mm This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future

Post Surgery Floral Lace Bra, at Marks and Spenser
Pretty and feminine, this lace bra is made from soft microfibre fabric and gives a gently supportive fit and a flattering shape. It features 2 secure prosthesis pockets

Furry Eyebrows Birthday Card, at M&S
Inside message: Happy Birthday Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Winchester 2 Seater Sofa, at Marks and Spencer
H94 x W150 x D100cm Seat H49cm, arm H62cm, top back rail H81cm Solid birch frame Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Other cushions made from polyester fibre Fabric options have reversible cushions Fixed covers only Solid birch feet with a dark finish Seams and pattern match on fabrics - Please note that the images of fabrics displayed here are overlaid onto models. These images act as a guide and may not be representative of the finished product. Seams and pattern match may differ from what is shown This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more We will contact you personally to arrange a delivery date, once your order is ready, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Large Studio Humbug Bottle Vase, at Marks and Spencer
Narrow neck Swirl stripe design Broad base, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Gold Plated Abalone Y Design Necklace & Earrings Set, at Marks & Spensers
2 part set Hook fastening abalone drop earrings Y design necklace with intermittent beads

Cotton Rich Straight Leg Sweat Pants, at Mark & Spensers
Whether you're active or relaxing, do it in style and comfort in these cotton rich sweat pants

Autograph Vintage Rose Embroidered Padded Bra, at Marks and Spenser
Glamorous and sexy, this padded balcony bra features a floral embroidered design. Gentle padding and underwiring give a flattering uplifted shape. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

Short Sleeve Dog Print T-Shirt, at MarksandSpencer
A dog print adds a cute touch to this soft cotton top.

Stormwear™ Faux Fur Multi Pocket Hooded Parka, at MarksandSpencer
Practical and fashionable, this multi pocket hooded parka is treated with Stormwear™ technology, an innovative finish that repels water and stains. Comfortable, breathable, easycare style whatever the weather

Lullaby Bear with Blanket Comforter, at Mark & Spencers
Teddy bear with detatchable comforter blanket Contrast soles Double lined for safety Bear: H23 x W13 x L22cm Blanket: 25 x 25cm Suitable for ages 0+ This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Nokia 6500 Classic - Vodafone Pay as you talk Mobile Phone, at Marks and Spencer
A maximum of 2 phones per customer may be purchased Talk time: Up to 3.5 hours Stand-by time: Up to 9 days Display: 2" (320 x 240 pixels) QVGA display supporting up to 16.7 million true colors Dimensions: 109.8 x 45 x 9.5 mm Weight: 94g Bandwidth: GSM/EGSM: 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/2100 Music and multimedia: Music player supports AAC, eAAC+, and MP3 audio formats, Video playback supports H.263, MPEG4, and 3GPP formats and codecs, Video streaming supports 3GPP and H.263 formats Camera and video: Image capture: JPEG, resolution of images: 1600 x 1200 pixels, video capture: MP4, Resolution of videos: QCIF/SQCIF, 176 x 144 pixels Browsing: xHTML browser over wTCP/IP stack supports WAP release 2.0, WML (WAP 2.0) browser Connectivity: Micro USB, 2.0 + enhanced data rate (EDR), Remote SyncML data synchronization via Bluetooth Data transfer: WCDMA, GPRS, EGPRS and Dual band 3G technology Java™ applications: Java MIDP 2.0 games and applications Messaging and email: MMS, SMS, AMS and Email client supports POP3 and IMAP4 Memory: 1 GB internal memory with up to 920 MB user free memory Personal information management: calendar, to-do list, and notes, alarm clock, stopwatch, countdown timer and calculator Ringtones: Video, MP3, MP4, eAAC+, AAC, and WMA, Polyphonic Vodafone Pay as you talk: Your mobile service provider will be Vodafone. A Vodafone SIM card is included with this handset. Click here to view Vodafone's Pay as you talk tariffs. 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

Autograph Essentials Modal Rich Slash Neck Top, at Marks & Spencers
Sophisticated and modern, this slash neck top is beautifully designed and cut for the best in contemporary style. It's made from stretch modal, a supersoft fabric which feels exceptionally comfortable to wear

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Hooded Jacket, at Marks&Spencer
Relaxed and modern, this long sleeve hooded jacket makes a comfortable and practical choice

Slinky Lace Trim Waist Slip, at Marks & Spenser
A practical fashion essential you can't do without! This cling resistant waist slip comes in a variety of lengths. It's a must-have for enhancing the look of your dresses and skirts, particularly those that look see-through under light

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Sailor Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
A fabulous 3/4 sleeve shirt in pure soft cotton featuring a ruffle front and stripe design

Cotton Rich Stitch Detail Bootleg Jeans, at Mark's & Spencer
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

Castillo del Moro Tempranillo Syrah 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks n Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: 85% Tempranillo and 15% Syrah Country of origin: Spain Closure: Screw Cap Alcohol by volume: 13% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.8 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.6 You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Girls' Limited Bold Stripe Tie Cardigan, at Marks and 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

Occ Stools - PORT F/S BAKER CH, at Marks and Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Classic Collection Seersucker Stripe Straight Leg Trousers, at MarksandSpencer
Smart and stylish, these straight leg trousers are designed for a flattering, comfortable fit and a polished look. They make the perfect match for fashionable jackets, blouses and knitwear

Linen Blend Sleeveless Woven Dress, at Mark's & Spencer
Fresh and cool, this linen blend dress is stylishly detailed with a black border and thin straps

Autograph Sateen - SATEEN STRIPE PC, at Marks and Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

2 Plain Multiway Padded Bras, at Marks & Spensers
These versatile bras can be worn 5 ways: conventionally, halterneck, cross back, strapless and one shoulder. Designed for a comfortable flattering fit, secure support and great flexibility

Large Slow Roasted Tomato & Goat's Cheese Quiche, at Marks and Spencer
Serves 12 Ready to eat 1.5kg Suitable for vegetarians As featured on page 20 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Embroidered Lace Jersey Top, at Mark & Spensers
A stylish 3/4 sleeve top featuring lace detail and a floral embroidered design

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Pyjama Top, at Marks & Spenser
Pretty and feminine, this short sleeve pyjama top is made from soft breathable cotton for a comfortable night's sleep

3 Pairs of Plain Cotton Rich Socks, at Marks & Spencer
These classic cotton rich socks are soft, breathable and comfortable. Added stretch gives a great fit

Per Una Spot Print Balcony Bra, at Marks & Spensers
Feminine and delicate, this stylish bra features lace detail and spot print. The padded balcony style gives maximum uplift and a fuller shape. Pretty everyday fashion

5 Pure Cotton Assorted Bodysuits, at M&S
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

M&S Finance 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 Property 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 Property 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 Finance Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.