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's & 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 n 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 Buildings & Contents Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

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

Thinking that most Car 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 Car Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Car Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M+S Money Car Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Car 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 Car Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Car 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 Car 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 Money UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger 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 Mark's & Spencer are so useful. M+S Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & Spenser 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 & Contents Insurance policies. Usually, UK Buildings & Contents 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 Buildings & Contents 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 Buildings & Contents Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

7 Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Assorted Bodysuits, at Marks and Spencer
Cute and practical, this pack of 7 bodysuits is great value. Popper fastenings and envelope necklines make quick changes easy and the soft cotton fabric will keep him feeling comfy and happy

50/50 Pleated Bedset, at Marks & Spencers
Pleated design Single set includes duvet cover and 1 pillowcase Double set includes duvet cover and 2 pillowcases, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

4 Glass Floral Placemats, at Marks and Spencer
Pack of 4 Rectangle shape Floral design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Portfolio Short Sleeve Geo Print Blouse, at Marks and Spenser
Part of Portfolio's Shades of Paradise trend, featuring the earthy tones of nature combined with rich, tropical highlights. Elegant and feminine styling makes this a chic summer look

Sony Stamina Plus AAA Alkaline Batteries - Pack of 4, at Marks and Spencers
Voltage (V): 1.5 Cells per pack: 4 Size: AAA / LR03 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

Footglove™ Leather Gusset Trouser Shoes, at Mark & Spensers
Round toe Stitch detail Gusset feature Slip-on Heel height 64mm Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

3 Enamel Diamanté Photo Frames 5 x 8cm (2 x 3''), at Marks and Spencer
Diamant detail Beaded trim Aperture: 5 x 8cm (2 x 3''), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Bialetti Aluminium Teapot, at Marks & Spensers
Attached lid 6 cup capacity, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Montreal Large 2-Seater Sofa, at Marks & Spenser
H94 x W218 x D104 Seat H44cm, arm 63cm, top back rail 70cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions 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 Fabric options feature 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 Solid birch feet with a medium 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 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

Sony Bravia RHT-G800 Home Cinema Surround Sound System, at Marks & Spencer
S-Force PRO Front Surround Technology: 5.1 channel virtual surround sound from just two front speakers and a subwoofe Controls: Touch sensor Vibration-cancelling subwoofer: For superb bass without disturbing the neighbours Connection: Inputs to connect DVD player, set-top box and games system BRAVIA Theatre Sync: Synchronises your Sony theatre system so it can be operated by the press of a single button Connectors: 2 x HDMI In, 1 x HDMI Out, 3 x Opt Digital In, 1 x Coax Digital In, 1 x Composite In Audio/Video Weight: 59kg Dimensions: W111.4 x H49.5 x D40 cm For televisions up to 52'' DVD player and TV not included 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

Glass Boxed Mirror Photo Frame 13x18cm (5 x 7"), at Marks & Spencers
Plain glass boxed mirror photoframe Aperture: 13x18cm (5x7") H32 x W 26.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Pure Ramie Ruffle Skirt, at Marks & Spencers
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

Plain Navy Pyjamas, at Marks & Spenser
Crisp and comfortable, these cotton blend pyjamas are outstanding value

Aluminium Deep Roasting Tray, at Marks and Spencer
Non-stick Teflon coated Dimensions: L31 x W20.5 x D3cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Coloured Glass Collection - Shallow Bowl, at M&S
H9 x Diam 20.5cm Coloured glass, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Short Sleeve Henley Neck Pintuck Front Top, at Marks & Spencers
Smart and stylish, this scoop neck top features a pintuck front

PlayStation® 2 Ben 10: Protector Of Earth, at Marks & Spensers
Take control of the Omnitrix and play as 5 different alien heroes from the show, including Four Arms, Heatblast, Cannonbolt, Wildvine and XLR8 Collect experience points to upgrade your characters and unlock over 80 combo moves Venture to 14 different levels and unlock 4 challenge locations Challenge your friends in battle mode or play together in 2-player co-op mode Unlock additional content including character skins, show clips and never-before-seen concept art 2007 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more 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, ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults

Cashmilon™ Long Sleeve Polo Neck Jumper, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and flattering, this long sleeve jumper is made from supersoft cashmilon™ and features a polo neck

Watercolour Floral Print Bikini Bottoms, at Marks and Spencers
Feminine and fashionable, this stylish bikini bottoms feature a pretty watercolour floral print. Designed to fit and flatter

3 Pairs of 10 Denier Ladder Resistant Tights, at Mark & Spensers
These essential tights are fantastic value. They're made with added stretch for a great fit and shape retention

Prints - BRIGH S/SUCKER BS, at Marks and Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Die Cut Floral Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover Text: My Wonderful Mum Inside Message: Happy Mother's Day Approx size: 178 x 126mm

Cotton Rich Contrast Stitch Bootleg 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

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Pintuck Top, at Marks & Spensers
A feminine 3/4 sleeve top featuring pintuck and ruffle detail

Flock Letters Son Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: Happy birthday son Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 150mm x 150mm

Print Weave Holiday Hat, at Marks & Spencer
This stylish weave hat is finished with a floral trim. Perfect for holidays or a sunny day

2 Big & Tall Cotton Rich °Climate Control Sleeveless Vests, at Marks and Spencer
Climate control fabric absorbs and stores body heat when you're too hot and releases the heat when you're too cold. The result is the perfect body temperature so you'll feel comfortable all day. The Outlast technology behind this innovative fabric was originally developed for astronauts and is recognised by NASA as Certified Space Technology

Short Sleeve Button Front Keyhole Blouse, at M&S
This fab short sleeve blouse features a sleeve keyhole feature. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season

Single Hard-Top Divan with 1 Small + 1 Large Drawer & M100 Mattress, at M&S
Single (3ft): W90 x L190 Mattress depth: 21.5cm Divan height: 41cm Divan drawer sizes: Large - H14 x W78 x D52cm, Small - H14 x W40 x D52cm Smaller drawers at the head end are designed to open without moving your bedside table 1 large and 1 small drawer Mattress does not require turning All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected A sample mattress is subjected to 3 rigorous tests to ensure it remains comfortable. Surface fabric is rubbed 15,000 times against a hard surface to test resistance to wear. Mattress is pounded by a machine 80,000 times to replicate the movements of a human torso and subjected to 20,000 rolls of a roller machine to simulate the rolling motion of a sleeping person 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

National Geographic Kids - Magazine Gift Subscription, at Marks and Spencers
National Geographic Kids is the monthly edu-tainment magazine for boys and girls. Jam-packed with the amazing images you'd expect from the National Geographic brand, National Geographic Kids is everything an inquisitive young mind needs

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

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

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