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 M&S 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 Financial Services website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Motor 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 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 Motor 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; Motor 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.

When you're shopping at Marks & Spensers online store for your summer outfit, or looking for furniture to give your home a makeover, then spend a moment to also consider products from M&S Financial Services. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks and Spenser than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from M&S Financial Services. With images of volcano ash still fresh in many traveller's minds, it's good to remember there were many travellers who ended up wishing they had spent just a few pounds extra to obtain travel insurance for their trip. Of course, unfortunately, after the event is too late!

In fact, had you purchased travel insurance from M&S Financial Services, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Financial Services website would have seen a message stating that although claims relating to volcanic eruptions are not normally covered by travel insurance, that on this particular occasion, they would "allow claims from UK customers affected by the volcanic ash that has recently grounded flights."

Animal Choker Necklace, at Marks & Spencers
Square chunky beads Animal print design Choker style Neclace length 41cm, extendable by 8cm

Casa Leona Chardonnay 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spenser
Style: Dry Grape variety: Chardonnay Country of origin: Chile Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 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

Block Circle Design Mug, at Mark's & Spencer
Block circle design Height: 10 cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Knock on Wood Sauvignon Blanc - Semillion 2008 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians 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

Autograph Pure Cotton Floral Print Empire Line Top, at Marks & Spencers
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in smart styles and high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

Sonoma Dark Dining Table & 6 Alton Fabric Dining Chairs Set, at M & S
7 piece set Table: H76 x L180 x W100cm Extends to L230cm Seats 6 people, comes with extension leaf to seat 8 Extension leaf can be stored beneath the table top Chair: H99 x W46 x D56cm Chairs made from solid walnut with fabric seat Made from solid oak and oak veneer Features natural wood characteristics - knots, figuring, colour variation and end-grain detail Finished with a rich dark stain, followed by 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Chairs made from solid wood Side panels and back panels made from White Oak veneer Top panels made from White Oak veneer with a solid Oak edging for strength Legs made from solid hardwood 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 manufacturer's instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Long Sleeve Hooded Fleece, at M&S
Comfy and cosy, this hooded fleece feels soft and warm and is great value. A practical, easycare style

Asti Spumante - Case of 12, at M & S
Style: Sweet Grape variety: Mixed White Country of origin: Italy Closure: Natural cork Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 7.5% vol Alcohol units per bottle: 5.6 Alcohol units per 125ml: 0.9 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Embellished Jersey Top, at M+S
A beautiful jersey top, featuring a sequin and suedette ribbon neckline embellishment

Per Una Leather Skinny Plaited Belt, at Marks and Spencer
A plaited detail and patent finish make this fashionable belt even more special. Add a stylish finishing touch from Per Una

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Multi Check Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Stylish and innovative, this multi check easycare shirt is quick and easy to iron for a smart crisp look

Friday Night Whites - Case of 12, at M&S
3 Alta Mira Sauvignon Blanc 2008: A fresh, dry Sauvignon Blanc from the Central Valley in Chile, this has a mouthwatering, zesty aroma and clean citrus flavours 3 Hungarian Pinot Grigio 2008: A refreshing aromatic white with vivacious fruity flavours of limes, tangerines and melons 3 Gascogne Cuve Spciale 2008: If you like dry, refreshing white wines, you'll love the mouthwatering flavour of crisp lemons and pears... 3 Quadro Sei Single Estate Gavi 2008: A premium dry white from one of Italy's most renowned wine-producing regions, Piedmont. Look out for the delicious fruity flavour of lime, pear and apricot, a subtle hint of almond and a fresh, ripe, zesty finish You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Birthday Gift Card, at Marks & Spencers
Can be redeemed in any of our UK stores and online Credit card-sized Gift Card with presentation greetings card Gift Cards can be topped up in stores to the maximum value of 500 Gift Cards are valid for 24 months after last use Frequently asked questions Click here to view frequently asked questions about our Gift Cards Click here for full Gift Card terms and conditions This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Cotton Rich Long Sleeve Stripe Jumper, at Marks and Spencer
Soft and comfy, this cotton rich jumper is outstanding value. A fashionable easycare style

Sleeveless Chevron Belted Dress, at Marks & Spenser
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

Per Una Frill Trim Corsage Bolero & Floral Vest, at Marks and Spencer
A feminine 3/4 sleeve frill trim bolero featuring a floral print outer vest and plain inner vest. The corsage makes it extra stylish

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Floral Longline Tunic, at Marks & Spenser
A fashionable 3/4 sleeve tunic featuring a floral print and ruched detail

Harvard Toiletry Bag Giftset, at Marks n Spencer
Pack contains: 50ml Harvard shower gel 50ml Harvard moisturising aftershave Toiletry bag

Total Support Non Wired Grascita Bra, at Marks & Spenser
Soft and comfortable, this non-wired bra gives all-round support and uplift with good coverage, extra wide straps and 3 hook-and-eye fasteners. It's secure but gentle and lightweight, an ideal choice for everyday wear

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Stripe T-Shirt, at MarksandSpencer
Casual and contemporary, this crew neck t-shirt is made from cool comfortable cotton and features a stripe design

Pure Cotton Roll Up Sleeve Stripe Ruffle Shirt, at Marks & Spensers
This fashionable stripe shirt is made from pure soft cotton that looks and feels great. Modern styling ruffle front detail gives it a cool contemporary edge

Luxury Wrap Platinum Ring, at Mark's & Spencer
Platinum plated Diamant detail

Older Girls' Canvas Trainers, at M&S
Round toe Lace up Metallic finish Canvas design Flat sole

TomTom One IQ Routes™ Edition Europe Satellite Navigation System, at Marks & Spencers
Maps: Full door to door maps of Western and Central Europe (42 countries) Display: 3.5'' touch screen Safety Camera Database: Comes with fixed safety camera alerts pre-installed, to help you to drive more safely and responsibly Easyport™ Mount: EasyPort™ mount folds neatly onto the back of your device, making the whole navigation package fit into your pocket, bag or glove compartment Latest Map Guarantee: The latest map guarantee keeps you right up to date. If a new version of any map on this device is released within 30 days of your purchase, you can download a new one via TomTom HOME for free TomTom Mapshare™ Technology: Make corrections to your own map and benefit from thousands of corrections made by TomTom users every day - free of charge Updates from TomTom HOME: Get new software and download new maps via TomTom Home site, includes free and subscription services Sound: Loud and clear voice instructions Points of Interest: Pre-installed map has Points of Interest from petrol stations to hotels. Can be updated via TomTom HOME Traffic-Ready: Compatible with TMC Traffic Receivers, so your route can be altered to avoid the traffic ahead Plug & Go: Just plug in and tap the touch screen to begin using the intuitive user friendly interface Advanced lane guidance: Gives you extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions IQ Routes™ technology: Get a faster route to your destination, up to 35% of the time QuickGPSfix™: Get a faster route to your destination, up to 35% of the time Speeding alert: Alerts you that youre speeding, even if you''re not in navigation mode Help Me! menu: You can find help with local emergency service information at your fingertips. From hospitals to roadside assistance, this information will be useful in any area Accessories: Comes with USB car charger and USB cable Dimensions: 92 mm x 78 mm x 25 mm Weight: 140 grams Battery: Lithium-Ion (up to 3 hrs autonomous battery life) Memory: 2 GB internal flash memory TomTom Ticket 2 Drive savings when you purchase this product before 30th September 2009. Click here for more information

Cotton Rich Bootleg Boyfriend Jeans, at M & S
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

Exotic Flower Gift Card, at Marks and Spenser
Can be redeemed in any of our UK stores and online Credit card-sized Gift Card with presentation greetings card Gift Cards can be topped up in stores to the maximum value of 500 Gift Cards are valid for 24 months after last use Frequently asked questions Click here to view frequently asked questions about our Gift Cards Click here for full Gift Card terms and conditions This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Classic Collection Pure Merino Wool Tweed Cardigan, at Marks & Spencers
Add a touch of cosy comfort to your wardrobe with this stylish cardigan in soft, luxurious lambswool. It's versatile enough to be dressed up or down for a smart or casual look

Blue Harbour Luxury Pure Cotton Herringbone Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Relaxed and stylish, this herringbone shirt is made from pure cotton so it feels soft and comfortable to wear

Post Surgery Modal Blend Non Wired Padded Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Pretty and feminine, this modal bra is made from soft microfibre fabric and gives a gently supportive fit and a flattering shape. It features 2 secure prosthesis pockets

Square Check Wrap Mini Skirt, at MarksandSpencer
Short and sweet, this mini skirt looks and feels luxurious. Stylish, practical and fashionable

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

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

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