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 & 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 M&S, 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 House 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 Mark's & 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, Sainsburys, 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.

Shopping for financial products at M+S Money 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 Money website:

• M&S Insurance: M&S Car Insurance, M&S House 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 & Spenser, 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.

Girls' Limited Rock Princess Vest Top & Shrug, at Marks & Spencer
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

Bright Prints A5 Academic Diary, at Mark & Spensers
1 diary (week to view) Approx size: 21 x 15 cm (including spiral binding)

XBOX 360® Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08, at M+S
All-New EA SPORTS GamerNet, where online interaction has been taken to the next level Record everything from your greatest rounds to crazy, awe-inspiring shots, then post each challenge on EA SPORTS GamerNet for the world to beat Earn points--and bragging rights--when players set their sights on you, or when you one-up challenges set by others Put yourself in the game like never before. Upload real-life photographs of yourself, friends, and family to create in-game characters that look just like the real thing All-new Shot Confidence tracks your performance on every hole Analyze past performance with the Confidence Meter to identify strengths and weaknesses before every shot Experience the all-new FedEx Cup championship format by playing a dream round at Westchester Country Club, TPC Boston, Cog Hill, and East Lake Featuring the greatest PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour pros, including Tiger Woods, John Daly, and Vijay Singh Plus Annika Sorenstam, Natalie Gulbis, Christie Kerr, and Morgan Pressel for all ages 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, Platforms: Xbox 360, ESRB Rating: Everyone

Pearl & Silver Type Sister-In-Law Birthday Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: To my sister-in-law happy birthday Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 175 mm x 126 mm This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future

Autograph Weave Print Tie, at Mark's & Spencer
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

North Coast Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Ribbed Trim Top, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and relaxed, this long sleeve top is made from pure cotton it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Limited Stripe Hat Scarf and Glove Set, at Marks & Spencer
Fashionable and colourful, this hat, scarf and glove set is perfect for chilly days

Organic Châteauneuf-du-Pape Bois de Pied Redon 2006 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Mixed Red, Syrah, Cinsault Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.9 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Younger Boys' Stripe Legionarries Cap, at Marks & Spencer
This legionairre style cap features a large peak and neck covering for extra sun protection

Flock Leaf Pencil Pleat Curtains, at Marks and Spencers
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Cool Stuff To Make Book, at Marks and Spenser
Find out how to make and draw the coolest stuff in this awesome book. Create your own codes, make a mini-parachute, build a brilliant toy truck and loads more. It's guaranteed to provide hours of fun

Beaded Frill Front Top, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and stylish, this scoop neck top features beaded frill front

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Assorted Button Cardigan, at Marks&Spencer
A beautiful 3/4 sleeve cardigan in a chunky knitted fabric featuring stripe design and assorted button fastening

Blue Harbour Pure Linen Block Stripe Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
Relaxed and stylish, this block stripe shirt is cut for a great fit. It's made from pure linen so it feels cool and comfortable to wear

Handcrafted Love Birds Fabric Valentine Card, at MarksandSpencer
Cover Text: Valentine Love Birds Together Forever Inside Message: Be my Valentine x Approx size: 178 x 127mm

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Stripe Shirt with Silk, at Marks and Spencer
A fashionable 3/4 sleeve shirt in luxurious silk mix fabric featuring a stripe design

125 Years Mug, at Marks and Spencer
Retro style Part of the Commemorative Collection, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Portfolio Cotton Rich Jersey Zip Jacket, at M&S
Part of Portfolio's Parisienne trend. Feel bold and chic in this feminine look inspired by Parisian style. With a striking colour palette of cream, ruby, black and dove grey, this is a style-conscious trend for the new season

1 Pair of Gel Pads for Toe Posts, at M & S
Ideal for use with flip flops and sandals with toe posts. These comfortable gel pads prevent painful rubbing between toes and on the balls of your feet. The non-slip design gives a secure grip

Kitchen Island & Granite Top Set, at Marks & Spencer
H90.5 x W100 x D80cm Some self-assembly required. Delivered boxed to your door. You will need to unpack, assemble and position the item yourself This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Larson Chair, at MarksandSpencer
H90 x W67 x D87cm Seat H43cm, arm H64cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Back cushions made from fixed foam 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 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

Sony Stamina Plus D Alkaline Batteries - Pack of 2, at Mark's & Spencer
Voltage(V): 1.5 Cells per pack: 2 Size: D / LR20 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

Wooden Ark & Animals, at Marks and Spencer
Suitable for ages 0-3yrs Wooden ark with animals This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Cotton Rich Hooded Jumper with Cashmere, at Marks & Spenser
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

My Recipe Keeper, at Marks&Spencer
Organise your culinary life.. If you're a hoarder of recipies snipped from magazines or donated by friends after successful dinner parties, then you need My Recipe keeper. This indispenable book provides all the informatio you need to take a creative approach to cooking with confidence. This practical guide features, a glossary of cooking methods, a list of useful kitchen equipment, and instructions for basdic recipes that you'll use time and again. Conversion charts for measurement and oven temperatures, and a list of substitue ingredients for when you're missing something vital. A selection of delicious recipes for every occasion. Journal pages for writing in your own favourite recipes and making notes, and useful pockets for storing cuttings of recipes that you'd like to try.

Fairtrade Pure Cotton Scoop Neck Top, at Marks n Spencer
2 for 8 offer excludes items in the sale Look below to see a video clip about Fairtrade This stylish longer length short sleeve top is a good deal for you and for our Fairtrade farmers. It's made from 100% Fairtrade cotton, helping local farmers to invest in developing their own communities

Per Una Tassel Trim Ribbed Scarf, at Marks & Spencer
This sophisticated ribbed scarf is the perfect accessory to this season's fashions. Tassel trim adds a stylish finishing touch.

M&S Flush Wall Mount for 10-20'' TV, at Marks & Spencer
Fits LCD and TFT screens from 10-21in Flush to wall mount VESA compliant for 75 and 100 standard fittings Simple two-part assembly All fixings supplied Dimensions: H28.5 x W19 x D8.5cm 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, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Griffin iTrip 6298-NTRPDA for Nano 4G, at Marks n Spencer
SmartScan finds the best FM settings for you SmartSound technology delivers clear audio under real-world conditions Designed to complement 4th generation iPod nano (but it works great with other iPod models, as well) Weight: 200g

2 Halves of Dressed Fresh Canadian Lobster, at Marks and Spencer
Serves 2 2 halves Ready to eat 184g total weight As featured on page 22 of the Food to Order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

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

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from M&S, 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.