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 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 and Spencers, 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 Buildings Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Marks & Spensers may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Buildings Insurance or Motor Insurance, but Marks and Spencers do indeed offer a comprehensive selection of financial products, all of which are competitively priced, and all of which you can purchase directly from the M&S Money website. With a simple, no-hassle service, you can compare features between a number of M&S Money Direct products and competitor's products, and sign up in just a few minutes.

Whether you're looking for savings products or M&S Money loans, credit cards or Buildings Insurance - besides a number of other insurance products, M&S Money can save you both time and money, with comprehensive information available at a click.

Free insurance quotes are available online for all of M&S Money insurance products (Buildings Insurance, Motor Insurance, Travel Insurance, Wedding Insurance and Pet Insurance), or you may call if you wish to on the telephone number provided. Suffice to say that there is also plenty of information which you can download for each of the Marks & Spencers insurance products in document format too.

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

Also, on both M&S Money Premier Buildings Insurance and Standard Buildings 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.

Thomas & Friends© Funnel Zip Neck Fleece, at Marks & Spencer
Fans of Thomas & friends will love this funnel neck fleece featuring the popular character. A practical, easycare style

Blue Harbour Cotton Rich Corduroy Trousers, at Marks & Spenser
Relaxed and comfortable, these smart casual cords are made from soft cotton rich fabric.

3 Cool & Fresh Cotton Rich Assorted Trunks, at Marks n Spencer
Made from soft breathable stretch cotton, these comfy trunks are ideal for everyday wear

Detroit 6 Drawer Tallboy, at Marks & Spencers
H121 x W54 x D45cm Made from White Oak solids and veneers Finished with 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of mid sheen Drawer boxes made from solid European hardwood. Draw fronts made with oak veneer Solid oak legs Side panels made with oak veneer Top panels made from oak veneer with a solid oak edging for strength All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Why use veneers? Unlike solid timber, veneer does not twist/warp/split to the same degree. Only the finest logs are used in veneer production. It is environmentally sound and traditional - much of the finest cabinetry in the world is veneered Care & Cleaning: Wipe with a soft clean cloth and use a mild furniture cleaner or polish occasionally. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

M&S Blender, at M&S
350 watt 4 speed Pulse action 1.5 litre capacity Stainless steel blades Safety lock mechanism Dimensions: H44cm 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Walkmates Twin Strap Riptape Shoes, at Marks & Spencer
Click here for more information on Walkmates shoes Round toe Contrast stitch Twin strap riptape fastening

Pure Silk Luxury Floral Tie, at Marks and Spencer
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this contemporary floral design tie in pure silk

Short Sleeve Camouflage Surfer T-Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
A practical, casual top in pure cotton featuring an embroidered camouflage surfer design. A great value easycare style

Pure New Wool Crew Neck Jumper, at M&S
Made from pure lambswool, this plain jumper is irresistibly soft and cosy. It features a crew neck for a fashionable look

Post Surgery Criss Cross Swimsuit, at M&S
Feminine and flattering, this swimsuit has been especially designed for a perfect fit and great support after surgery. Every element has been considered for maximum comfort against delicate scar tissue and it's been extensively tested so every part stays in place

Cotton Blend Tummy Control Floral Lace Vest, at Mark & Spencers
This tummy control vest gives a flattering shape - great under close fitting tops. The hidden panel shapes the waistline and flattens your tummy while the longer length helps prevent it rolling up

3 Pure Cotton Tonal Stripe Tea Towels, at Marks and Spencer
Pack of 3 Tonal stripe design Straight edge, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

3/4 Sleeve Longline Jumper with Angora, at Marks & Spencers
A touch of angora adds fluffy softness to this flattering jumper. A fabulous fashionable look

Twin Pleat Trousers with Wool, at Marks and Spencer
No more trips to the drycleaners! These smart, fashionable trousers can be machine washed and tumble dried

Fresh Fruit Platter with Extra Thick Channel Island Double Cream, at Marks and Spencer
Serves 8 Ready to eat Suitable for nut allergy sufferers Cream: 227ml Fruit: 745g As featured on page 53 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

Multiway Plain Padded Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Whether you wear it strapless, cross-over or conventional, this smart bra offers the best in versatile comfort thanks to a multiway design and gently padded cups. An essential addition to any wardrobe

2 Pairs of Assorted Spot Design Socks, at Marks and Spencer
Designed for essential comfort and breathability, these assorted spot design socks are outstanding value

Special Dad Gift Card, at Marks and 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 Single Breasted 2 Button Self Stripe Suedette Jacket, at Marks and Spencers
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

Stainless Steel Egg Separator, at Marks and Spenser
Stainless steel design Hanging hole L14cm x W9cm x H2.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Panasonic NN-A554W Slim Combination Oven, at Marks and Spencer
Oven capacity: 27 litre Output power: 1000 W Grill power: Quartz 1300 Inverter: Yes Fan assisted convection oven: 100 - 220C Auto programs: 13 Turn table size: 340 mm Interior: Stainless steel Control panel: Touch Interior dimensions: W359 x D352 x H217 Exterior dimensions: W510 x D390 x H305 Accessories: Turntable (round glass tray), round wire rack and round enamel tray Features: Auto guide, chaos/turbo defrost and child lock Net weight: 15kg (with glass tray & roller ring) Gross weight: 18kg 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

24 Fresh Fruit Tartlets, at Mark's & Spencer
24 tartlets Serves 8 2 x 220g Suitable for vegetarians As featured on page 53 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

Girls' Limited Denim Leggings, at Marks and Spenser
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

Pure Cotton 3 Piece Long Sleeve check Outfit, at Marks & Spencers
Fun and practical, this cute 3 piece outfit features a check design. It's made from soft cotton to keep him comfy

Classic FM: Movies CD, at M&S
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Pure Chronos CD Clock Radio, at Marks & Spenser
Frequency ranges: Band III 174-240 MHz, FM 87.5-108 MHz CD Player: CD-R and CD-RW playback. Support for CD Text and 20 track audio CD playlist. Multiple playback modes (repeat, shuffle, etc). MP3/WMA playback, including support for ID3 tags Speakers: Two 3" x 1.5" custom-wound oval drive units Input connectors: 9V DC power adaptor socket (230V supplied). 3.5mm Line-in for auxiliary devices Output connectors: 3.5mm stereo output for headphones Controls: Power on/standby, sleep, source, tune/select, menu, alarm, info, presets, volume, play/pause, stop, fast forward, rewind and snooze Remote: Infrared remote control LCD display: LCD display with 16 x 2 characters, plus additional function icons (volume, time, alarms, signalstrength, source selected, repeat and shuffle) and large clock. Features adjustable backlight (active and standby mode) with auto-dimmer Mains power supply: 230V AC to 9V DC external power adapter Aerial: Wire aerial attached Alarm: Four independent alarm settings, with wake to tone, DAB, FM or CD options Light sensor: Adjusts the display brightness to suit the ambient light in your room MP3/WMA: Play MP3 or WMA files from CD or CD-R/RW. Supports ID3 tags Text scan: textSCAN™ - pause and control scrolling text RDS: RDS support for station name display on FM and RDS scrolling text Dimensions: H12.5 x W19.5 x D18.5cm 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Hanging Star Congratulations Card, at Marks & Spenser
Cover text: Congratulations Inside message: blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Le Clos du Pioch - Montpeyroux 2006 - Case of 6, at M+S
Style: Dry, medium bodied Grape variety: Syrah, Grenache, Carignan Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 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

125 Years Leather Classic Monk Shoes, at Marks and Spencer
Pointed toe Punch feature Stitch detail Buckle fastening Block heel

Portfolio Gold Button High Waist Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
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

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Money. Not least of these is Marks & Spencers Standard Motor Insurance. With M&S Money 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 Money, 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 Spencers, 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 Money Direct, you get more, and you pay less.