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 & Spensers 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 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 Financial Services 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 Financial Services 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 & Spensers 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, 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 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 Financial Services UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Financial Services. Not least of these is M&S Standard Motor Insurance. With M&S Financial Services you can keep the cost of your Motor 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 Motor Insurance cover from M&S Financial Services, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Motor Insurance policies on offer from Marks and Spencer, 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 Motor Insurance from M&S Financial Services, you get more, and you pay less.

Classic Collection Check Skirt, at Mark & Spencers
Elegant, stylish and comfortable, this knee length pull-on skirt is finished with a check design. The ideal match for blouses and fine knits in coordinating colours

Autograph Pure Linen Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and contemporary, these straight leg trousers are part of our exclusive Autograph collection. A great design, superior fabric and careful attention to detail make them exceptionally stylish and comfortable

Large Rectangle Face Watch, at Marks n Spencer
Buckle fastening Analogue Rectangle face

Ankle High Stretch Platform Boots, at Marks and Spencer
Round toe Central seam stitch Stretch design Ankle high High heel

Younger Boys' Lace-Up Lights Trainers, at Marks and Spencer
Round toe Mesh panel design Lace-up

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Cymru Rugby T-Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Fun and fashionable, this short sleeve t-shirt in soft cotton features an embroidered Cymru logo. A practical easycare style

Pure Linen High Waist Belted Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Designed to give a shapely silhouette, these on-the-waist bootcuts are feminine and flattering. The belt feature adds a stylish finishing touch

4 Sennen Mugs - Blue, at Marks and Spenser
4 piece set Contrast design H11 x Diam 9cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Barton 3-Seater Sofa, at Marks & Spencer
H90 x W215 x D90cm Seat H51cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Cushions are reversible if you choose a fabric upholstery option 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 Turned legs with antique-brass effect castors Includes 2 matching fibre scatter cushions 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 samples: 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 than fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Long Sleeve Frill Front Cardigan, at M&S
Soft and cosy, this cardigan features frilled front. A contemporary look that will take you through the season in style

Single Sprung-Edge Divan with 2 Large + 2 Small Drawers & M300 Mattress, at Marks & Spencer
Double mattress (4ft 6in): W135 x L190 cm King size mattress (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super king size mattress (6ft): W180 x L200cm Single divan (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double divan (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King size divan (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super king size divan (6ft): W180 x L200cm Mattress depth: 24cm Divan height: 41cm Large Drawer: 14 x 78 x 52cm Small Drawer: 14 x 40 x 52cm Mattress filling made from resilient foam and polyester fibre Mattress has reinforced side stitching giving greater edge support Individually pocketed springs Pocket sprung mattresses give a flexible feel Mattress spring count: 896 Can be used with any mattress All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected Mattress does not require turning All mattresses and divans are manufactured in the UK 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

Contemporary Kiwi Collection, at Marks & Spencer
Stoney Range Sherwood Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008(75cl) Sherwood Estate Pinot Noir 2007(75cl) Presented in a stylish wooden gift box Price includes delivery Licensing Act 2003: it is an offence for any person under 18 years to buy or attempt to buy alcoholic liquor Looking to place a corporate bulk order? Please call 0845 6020602 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

In Bloom Honeysuckle & Jasmine Foaming Bath Elixir, at Marks n Spencer
Honeysuckle and jasmine fragrance Moisture rich Foaming bath elixir 200ml This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Classic Collection Floral Embroidered Slippers, at Marks and Spenser
Round toe Embroidered floral detail Pump style Flat sole Slip on

Notched Leather Coated Belt, at Marks and Spencers
Add a smart finishing touch with this leather belt

Sherwood Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Noir Country of origin: New Zealand Closure: Screw cap Bottle: 6 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

Black & Decker® DV9605TN Cyclonic Action Dustbuster® Vac, at Marks & Spensers
9.6V for powerful and effective pick-up Wet and dry Dustbowl Capacity - 700 ml Runtime - 13 minuttes Cordless for use anywhere Built-in crevice tool for greater accessibility and extra convenience Cyclonic Action spins dirt away from the filter maintaining optimum suction power New filter cleaning system to allow better dirt management Double action filtration allows the product to perform better and last longer Accessories are stored on board, always at hand for your cleaning jobs Multi-surface charging base, so it can be wall mounted or kept on the worktop Extra large bowl requires less emptying Window bowl so you know when to empty the Dustbuster Ergonomic design

3 Bodysensor™ 40 Denier Silky Soft Opaque Ankle Highs, at M+S
These comfortable 40 denier opaque ankle highs are made with added stretch and a reinforced toe for durability. They feature bodysensor™ technology to keep you warm when it's cool and cool when it's warm

Rollover Band Joggers, at Marks&Spencer
With added stretch for essential ease of movement, these comfy and practical rollover band joggers are great for active workouts or relaxing in style

Machine Washable Stripe Tie, at Mark's & Spencer
No more trips to the drycleaners! This stripe tie is machine washable

Lace Embroidered Underwired Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Feminine and pretty, this embroidered design bra is ideal for everyday wear. It's underwired and shaped for an uplifted natural look

Sweet Bergamot Diffuser Plug-In Refill, at Marks & Spencers
Plug-in design 15ml of fragranced liquid Lasts up to 75 days This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Woven Pure Silk Multi Stripe Tie, at Marks and Spenser
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this smart multi stripe tie in pure silk

Oriental Flower Gift Card, at Mark & 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

Collezione Wool Rich Single Breasted Coat with Cashmere, at Marks & Spencer
Elegantly stylish and meticulously finished, this coat is inspired by sophisticated Italian fashions

Domaine Ventenac Chenin Colombard 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Chenin Blanc & Colombard Country of origin: France Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.5 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Bamboo Soap Dish, at Marks and Spencers
Rectangle box shape Drainage design Dimensions: H3 x W8.5 x L16cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Boy Images Multipack of Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Design 1 - happy birthday Design 2 - blank Design 3 - happy birthday Pack contains: 9 cards, 3 designs Approx side: 120 x 120mm

No VPL Low Rise Shorts, at M&S
These No VPL low rise shorts are laser cut to give a smooth, seam-free outline and stretch in all directions for the ultimate in comfort

Per Una Wool Blend Cape Cardigan, at Marks & Spensers
A fashionable 3/4 sleeve cardigan in soft wool blend. The cape style makes it extra stylish

Shopping for financial products at M&S Financial Services UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Mark & Spensers 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 Household 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 & Spensers, 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.