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 & 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 & Spensers, 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 Motor 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 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 House 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 House 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 Money Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

Besides Marks&Spencer Motor Insurance, M+S Money Credit Cards and other financial products, M+S Money House 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 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 & Spenser purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M+S Money Premier House Insurance and Standard House 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.

Sony Portable 2GB WALKMAN® MP3 Player, at Marks and Spenser
Lightweight and comfortable WALKMAN mp3 player fits securely on your head, for total wire free listening when youre on the move 2GB storage holds up to 500 tracks (128kbps mp3) ZAPPIN™ technology for quick song searches: Listen to the first few seconds of the chorus to find your favourite tracks 13.5mm EX Series headphones for clear and powerful sound, extreme comfort and high quality audio performance Listen for longer with an incredible battery life of up to 12 hours as well as 90 minutes playback time from a 3 minute quick charge Supports most popular audio file formats, including mp3, AAC and WMA (DRM) Easily drag and drop tunes directly from your computer Comes with carrying case and charging desk stand

Large Tear Drop Gemstone Photo Frame, at Marks & Spencers
Round shape Multifaceted faux gemstones Tear-drop gem design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Textured Stripe Padded Bra, at Marks and Spenser
Elegant and feminine, this stylish bra is made from soft textured striped fabric and features a lace trim. Soft padding and underwiring give support and a flattering natural shape. Pretty everyday fashion

Collezione Single Breasted 3 Button Check Jacket, at Marks & Spencer
Italian tailoring is renowned for its sophisticated style. Each collezione suit is designed with that same passion, using the finest fabrics and best tailoring techniques. Inspired by Italian flair, we've lavished time and care on this garment to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

Miele S7280 Allervac Upright Vacuum Cleaner, at M&S
6 litre dust bag capacity 1800W Sealed system for optimum filtration 14.5 metre operating radius The Active HEPA filter ensures air leaving the cleaner is free of allergens and odours Dust bag change indicator - signals when the dustbag needs to be replaced Rotary Dial to adjust the suction power for different floorings Telescopic stainless steel tube Smooth running 360 swivel castors. Castors mounted on steel axles to ensure excellent maneouvrability An Upholstery nozzle, Dusting brush and Crevice nozzle are all stored at the rear of the cleaner Weight: 9.5kg Dimensions: H1160.6 x W349.3 x D377.9mm 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 Free 2 year guarantee, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Happy Birthday Dog Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Happy Birthday to you Inside message: Have a fun day Approx size: 174 x 126mm

Flat Front Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and stylish, these flat front trousers are outstanding value

Paper Butterflies Someone Special Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover Text: To Someone Special Inside Message: On Mother's Day Approx size: 178 x 126mm

Wrap Platter, at Marks & Spencer
Contains 18 pieces Serves 4-6 5 different sandwich fillings Ready to eat As featured on page 9 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 2 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

2010 Slim Diary, at Marks & Spencers
Dimensions: 16.5 x 8cm

Château Panchille Cuvée Alix 2005 - Case of 6, at Marks n Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork 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

Philips 57'' FL7404 Full HD LCD TV, at Marks & Spencer
HD Ready 1080p: High Definition Multimedia Interface™ (HDMI) connections make your TV a multimedia centrepiece. Connect HD digital devices like disc players, game consoles, Digital Camcoder and satellite dish components into the rear connection for displaying an HD source on an HDTV Display: 57 inch LCD TV Contrast Ratios: Dynamic contrast 80,000:1 Integrated Digital and Cable Tuner Aerial Input- 75 ohm coaxial (IEC75) , Video Playback- NTSC, SECAM, PAL , DVB- DVB-T MPEG4*, DVB-C MPEG4* Tuner bands-Hyperband, S-Channel, UHF, VHF Dimensions: W126 x H77 x D12cm (without stand) , W126 x H82 x D31cm (with stand) Weight: 28kg (without stand), 32kg (with stand) Connections: 4 x HDMI , PC connectivity, USB, EasyLink (HDMI-CEC)- One touch play, Remote control pass-through, System audio control, System standby HD Natural Motion: Philips invented HD Natural Motion to eliminate juddering effects that are visible with movie-based picture content 2 x 10 W with Incredible Surround: An invisible sound system that blends perfectly with the design of the cabinet Picture enhancement: Pixel precise HD, 3/2 - 2/2 motion pull down, 3D Combfilter, Active Control + Light sensor, Digital Noise Reduction, Dynamic contrast enhancement, Luminance Transient Improver, Progressive Scan, 2D/3D noise reduction, 100 Hz LCD, HD Natural Motion Playback Formats: MP3, LPCM, JPEG Still pictures, MPEG1, MPEG2, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Video formats: 480i, 60 Hz, 480p, 60 Hz, 576i, 50 Hz, 576p, 50 Hz, 720p, 50, 60 Hz, 1080i, 50, 60 Hz, 1080p, 24, 25, 30, 50, 60 Hz Computer formats: 640 x 480, 60 Hz, 800 x 600, 60 Hz, 1024 x 768, 60 Hz, 1280 x 1024, 60 Hz, 1360 x 768, 60 Hz, 1600 x 1200, 60 Hz, 1920 x 1080, 60 Hz Sound: 2 x 10 W (Incredible Surround, Treble and Bass Control, Nicam Stereo ) Power: 220 - 240 V, 50 Hz 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

Bandeau Style Textured Swimsuit, at Marks and Spencer
Gorgeously feminine, this detachable strap swimsuit is designed to stay securely in place while you work on your tan. Designed to fit and flatter

Autograph White Hungarian Goose Down Duvet - 13.5 Tog, at MarksandSpencer
13.5 tog Suitable for cooler months or colder rooms or those who prefer a warm, snug duvet Highest quality class 1 Hungarian goose down Large down clusters within a multi-pocket construction - provides warmth without weight Each pocket is individually filled ensuring even down distribution 100% cotton outer cover - 300 thread count downproof cover Which tog? Tog measures the warmth of a duvet based on its ability to trap warm air. The higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet. The perfect tog is a personal choice which can depend upon you and your home, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Cream Floral and Polka Dot Place Cards - Pack of Ten, at Marks & Spencer
10 cards, 1 design Flat: 90 x 90 mm Folded: 45 x 90 mm

24 Vol-Au-Vents, at Marks & Spencers
Contains 24 pieces Serves 6 Ready to cook Suitable for freezing 400g As featured on page 14 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

A Year In Your Garden Book, at Mark & Spensers
A beautiful range of 5 gardening titles, full of inspiring ideas and tips both for the novice and more experienced gardener. From pots and small backyards to larger gardens, feel confident in choosing the right flowers and shrubs for the right place all year round! Packed full of wonderful colour photography, these books will prepare and motivate you to garden

Horses & Ponies Sticker Activity Book, at Marks and Spencer
Have fun completing this colourful, action-packed sticker book with more than 70 stickers. See who's winning prizes at the gymkhana, make sure the horses are well cared for and join the horse and pony race

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Upsy Daisy Top, at M+S
The Upsy daisy slogan makes this cute top even more fun

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Spot Print Minishirt, at Marks & Spenser
Pretty and feminine, this spot print nightdress is made from soft breathable cotton for a comfortable night's sleep

Big & Tall Flat Front Trousers with Wool, at Marks&Spencer
Smart and stylish, these trousers are made from a hardwearing wool blend. An ideal choice for work or everyday wear. Perfectly proportioned for big and tall men

Woodspice Aftershave, at Marks&Spencer
Aftershave 100ml

2 Pairs of 10 Denier Body Shaper Tights, at Marks and Spencer
Complete with added stretch for shape retention and essential comfort. These simply outstanding tights are a terrific option for ensuring your legs look and feel their everyday best

Autograph Pure Cotton Double Stripe Polo Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Casual and contemporary, this pure cotton double stripe polo shirt is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. A great design, superior fabric and careful attention to detail make it exceptionally stylish and comfortable

Diamanté Detail Hello Kitty Watch, at Marks & Spensers
Buckle fastening Round face Diamant detail 'Hello Kitty' motif Analogue 1976-2009 SANRIO CO LTD

Château de Balan Bordeaux 2006 - Case of 12, at M&S
Country of origin: France Grape variety: Medium Bodied Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.4 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.6 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Nintendo Wii™ Big Brain Academy Game, at Mark's & Spencer
Student records keep track of your achievements and create a profile that others can play against when you are not there. You can even send your student record to a friend via WiiConnect24 Play alongside or against up to 7 friends as you find out who deserves to be top of the class! 3 modes of play: Brain Quiz, Mental Marathon and Mind Sprint Simple controls mean anyone can play straight away - to play, all you need to do is use the Wii Remote to point at the correct answer on your TV, leaving you to focus on the challenges that await at the Academy Category: edutainment, health and fitness Multiplayer mode: simultaneous Players: 1-8 Age rating: 3+ 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 *Must be returned with the tamper seal intact for full refund, ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults

Collezione Funnel Neck Zip Fastening Jacket, at Marks & Spencers
Casual and contemporary, this long sleeve jacket is inspired by Italian tailoring

Pure Cotton Stripe Towel Bale, at Marks&Spencer
4 piece set Stripe trim design 2 x hand towels: 50 x 90cms / 500gsm 2 x bath towels: 70 x 120cms / 490gsm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

LED Light Collection Floating Waterlily, at Marks n Spencer
Water lily design Decoarative lighting Floating feature for table top H5.5 x Diam 9cm, 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 & Spencer are so useful. M+S Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks and Spencers 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, House Insurance policies. Usually, UK House 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 House 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 House Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.