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 Spencers 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 and Spenser, 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 Household 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 Motor Insurance is something that almost everyone needs - at least if you own a car. Unfortunately there are so many companies offering Motor Insurance today that, after a while, one policy may begin to look much like the next.

Thinking that most Motor 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 Motor Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Motor Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M+S Money Motor Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Motor 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 Motor Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Motor Insurance plans from companies such as Direct Line, Sainsburys, or Tescos 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 Motor 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 Marks and Spenser are so useful. M+S Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks & 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, Household Insurance policies. Usually, UK Household 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 Household 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 Household Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Luxury Sandwich Platter, at Marks & Spensers
30 quarters Serves 6 - 8 Ready to eat 6 different fillings As featured on page 7 of the Food to Order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 2 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

PSP™ Daxter Game, at Marks and Spencers
A bug-blitzing adventure, tying up many loose ends from the Jak series Quirky multiplayer action Compatible with Jak X: Combat Racing for PlayStation 2 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, Platforms: Sony PSP, ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults

Cashmilon™ Crew Neck Knitted Jumper, at M&S
Fashionable and flattering, this knitted jumper is made from supersoft cashmilon™ and features a crew neck

Big & Tall Crease Resistant Flat Front Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
Stay smarter for longer with these innovative crease resistant trousers. They're machine washable and feature coin catcher™ pockets which stop change falling out. Perfectly proportioned for big and tall men

Petite 3/4 Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Chic and modern, this 3/4 sleeve shirt is made from a comfortable cotton blend and features a stripe design. Specially designed and perfectly proportioned for the petite frame

Autograph Essentials Vintage Rose Embroidered Thong, at Marks and Spencer
Elegant and feminine this modern thong features rose embroidered details. The modern, high leg styling gives a flattering shapely fit. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

Classic Duckling Baby Flip Photograph Album, at Marks and Spenser
Contains: 1 photo album Album: H152 x W175 x D40mm Photo sleeves: 120 x 160mm (for 4.5 in x 6 in photos)

Luxury Wool Rich Flat Front Trousers, at Marks & Spencer
Hours of handcrafting have gone into this superior quality suit for authentic tailored style. Every detail has been carefully considered to give a luxurious look and feel

Ceriso Silk Blend Padded Lace Trim Bra, at M&S
Flirty and fashionable, this glamorous bra is made from silk mix fabric finished with a lace trim. It's underwired for extra support and the padded plunge style gives a fabulous enhanced cleavage. Designed for women who want the latest look

Autograph Weekend Cotton Rich Pencil Skirt, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Autograph Weekend's Sloane trend. Casual yet sophisticated, this is weekend dressing at its most stylish. Featuring a cool colour palette of crisp navy, neutrals and red, this is an effortlessly chic look for the new season

Saint Saturnin Réserve les Moulies Rosé 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault Country of origin: France Closure: Synthetic cork Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.8 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

Blue Energy Eau de Toilette, at Mark's & Spencer
100ml Eau de Toilette Natural spray This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Limited Collection Animal T-Shirt, at Marks & Spenser
Show you care with this fashionable Limited Collection longline t-shirt supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. 30% of the price of this product is donated to Breakthrough Promotions

Pure Cotton Tonal Neutral Stripe Towel, at Marks & Spencer
Tonal stripe design Hand - 50 x 90cm Bath - 70 x 137cm Sheet - 86 x 178cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Grow Your Own Strawberry Kit, at Marks & Spenser
This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Scoop Neck Frill Front Top, at Marks and Spencer
An elegant 3/4 sleeve top in textured fabric featuring a frill front and stripe design

Blue Circles Holographic Roll Wrap, at M&S
1 roll wrap Approx size: 1.5 x 700mm

Bow Detail Jersey Gloves, at Marks and Spencer
Keep out the cold in style and comfort with these flattering soft stretchy gloves finished with a bow detail

Frame Holy Communion Card, at Marks & Spenser
Cover text: On your holy communion Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 174 x 126mm

Nokia 6500 - T-Mobile Pay as you talk Mobile Phone, at Marks and Spencer
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 colours Dimensions: 109.8 x 45 x 9.5mm 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

Pure Cotton Piped Double Breasted Mac, at Marks & Spencers
A simple, fitted mac is a versatile piece that will never go out of fashion. This mid length version is given a contemporary twist with a double breasted cut and contrast piping

Fairtrade Pure Cotton Scoop Neck T-Shirt, at Mark & Spensers
This stylish short sleeve t-shirt 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

Hungarian Pinot Grigio Rosé 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Grigio Country of origin: Hungary Closure: Synthetic closure 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

White Pearl Damask RSVP Cards - Pack of Ten, at Marks and Spencer
Inside message: Many thanks for your kind wedding invitation................................................................Would be pleased to accept/cannot accept 10 cards, 1 design Aprrox size: 133 x 73mm

2 Pure Cotton Plain Long Sleeve Vests, at Marks and Spencer
Comfortable, practical and fashionable, this 2 pack of vests is made from soft breathable cotton

Pure Wool Izmir Rug, at MarksandSpencer
Made from New Zealand wool Traditional pattern Fringed design Small: L140 x W80cm Medium: L170x W120cm Large: L230 x W160cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Sweat Top, at M & S
Relaxed and cosy, this pure cotton sweat top is extremely comfortable and can be worn layered for a contemporary look

Natural Ceramic Bulbous Vase, at Marks & Spensers
Bottle shape Broad base H20.5 x 25cm diam 0.6Kg, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Castello d'Alba White 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Grape variety: Blend of traditional Douro varieties Country of origin: Portugal Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians and vegans 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

Little Oxford English Reference Set, at Marks n Spencer
The Oxford English reference set is the perfect package to help them ace their essays and to prepare for their next exam

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

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