Shopping for financial products at M&S Money Direct UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the M&S online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the M&S Money Direct 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 Marks and 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 Direct in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the M&S Money Direct website.

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 MarksandSpencer 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 & Spenser, through its M&S Money Direct 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.

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 MarksandSpencer are so useful. M&S Money Direct financial products are, of course, designed to make M+S 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 Direct 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 Direct Buildings & Contents Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Chunky Link Skinny Chain Belt, at M+S
Dress up your fashionable outfits with this smart chunky link chain belt

M&S Sandwich Toaster, at Marks and Spencer
Interlocking handle Non-stick sandwich plate Diagonal sandwich divider Non slip feet for added stability Power on light showing that the unit is on and heating up Temperature ready light 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

Long Sleeve Graphic Print Shirt, at Marks & Spensers
This fab long sleeve shirt features a stunning graphic print design. A vibrant new look, perfect for this season

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Scotland Hooded Top, at Marks & Spencers
Relaxed and comfortable, this fashionable long sleeve hooded top is made from soft cotton and features an embroidered Scotland motif. A practical easycare style

Lightweight Scattered Squares Scarf, at Mark's & Spencer
This sophisticated scattered square scarf is the perfect accessory to this season's fashions

Collezione Luxury Pure Wool Pin Stripe Trousers, at Marks & Spencers
Italian style is renowned for its attention to detail. Each collezione piece 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 these trousers to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

Duck Feather & Down 10.5 Tog Duvet, at M & S
10.5 tog Ideal for Spring and Autumn use, or all round use in homes with central heating 230 thread count and 100% cotton downproof cover Excellent value for money, natural duck feather and down filling ensures a soft and comfy night's sleep Pure cotton cover Highest quality class 1 duck feather down 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

Yalumba Australian Shiraz 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Shiraz (Syrah) Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.1 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.7 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Girls Limited Long Sleeve Hooded Fleece, at MarksandSpencer
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

Floral & Polka Dot Thank You Cards - Pack of Ten, at Mark's & Spencer
Inside message: Blank for your own message 10 cards, 1 design Approx size: Unfolded: 155 x 110mm

Metallic Cleo Ring, at Marks and Spencer
Chunky design Metallic finish Plain Abstract shape

Pure Cotton Spot Print Cropped Pyjama Bottoms, at Marks & Spencer
Fashionable and practical, these spot print pyjama bottoms are made from soft breathable cotton for a comfortable night's sleep

Griffin iClear for iPod Nano Invisible Protection, at Mark & Spensers
iClear provides total protection and total access to screen, controls, ports, and switches Simply place your iPod into iClear's front casing and snap the rear section in place Includes a static peel screen protector and premium cleaning cloth, for proper care and protection of your touchscreen Available in package configurations with or without armband

Lexington Flight Bag, at MarksandSpencer
Whether you're heading to the gym or a quick weekend jaunt away, keep your belongings safe and secure with the zip fastening design of this roomy flight bag

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Matinee Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
Knitted in pure cotton, this cute hooded cardigan will keep him warm and comfy. It looks cuddly too!

MoDA Grasses and Foliage Bamboo Paper Blank Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Blank Inside message: Blank for your own message Our MoDA range has been screen printed onto paper made from bamboo. Bamboo is a truly sustainable and renewable resource as it's the fastest growing plant on the planet! Approx size: 150 x 150mm

OK! - Magazine Gift Subscription, at Marks & Spensers
OK! First for celebrity news! Be part of the A List and catch up with your favourite stars only in OK!. Every week you'll be amazed by our world exclusive interviews, our Access All Area weddings and all the latest celebrity news and gossip

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

Autograph Essentials Deep Waistband Bootleg Trousers, at Marks and Spencers
Greater choice of leg lengths now available Part of Autograph Essentials - a collection of luxurious and timeless wardrobe must-haves featuring premium design and sophisticated styling

Nectarine and Orange Collection Scented Spheres, at M+S
Nectarine and orange scent Pot pourri, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Fresh Rose Refresher Oil, at Marks & Spencers
Refresher and burner oil 15ml, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Linen Long Sleeve Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
This fashionable shirt features a stylish pintuck fagot design for a fab contemporary look

3 Stain-Away™ Short Sleeve Polo Shirts, at Marks & Spensers
A great value 3-pack treated with STAIN-AWAY™, our unique high performance finish which helps prevent everyday stains, and makes them easy to wash out clean. It even works with ink blots!

Straw Snap Trilby, at M&S
Make a stylish impression with this trilby. It adds a smart touch to formalwear and looks contemporary with casuals

Per Una Pure Linen Katie Skirt, at MarksandSpencer
A stylish mid length skirt in pure cool linen featuring horizontal seam detail. Comes with the belt shown in the photograph

Droplets Silver Wedding Anniversary Card, at M&S
Cover text: Congratulations on your Silver Wedding Anniversary Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: Unfolded: 176 x 126mm

Daughter and Son-in-Law Large Wedding Card, at Marks n Spencer
Cover text: To a Special Daughter and Son-in-Law Inside message: With love on your wedding day Approx. size: 220 x 220mm

Per Una Diamond Print Crinkled Scarf with Wool, at Marks & Spensers
This sophisticated diamond print scarf is the perfect accessory to this season's fashions. The crinkled finish adds a stylish finishing touch.

Spots on Kraft Large Gift Bag, at Marks&Spencer
Pack Contains: 1 gift bag Approx Size: H: 270 mm, W: 360 mm, D: 100 mm

Autograph Pure Cashmere Knitted Cowl Neck Poncho, at Marks & Spencer
Wrap up warm in fashionable style with this pure cashmere poncho. The contemporary design looks great over this season's fashions, or wear with jeans and boots

M&S Money Direct 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 Direct 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 & Spencers 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 Direct UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.