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 & Spenser, through its Marks & Spencer 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 & Contents Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Marks & Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer 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 Mark's & 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 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 Marks & Spencer Money UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Shopping for financial products at Marks & Spencer Money UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks and Spencer online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the Marks & Spencer Money website:

• M&S Insurance: M&S Motor 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 & Spensers, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

And, just as importantly, contacting Marks & Spencer Money in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the Marks & Spencer Money website.

Single Glasses - VALUE FLUTE, at Marks & Spencers
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Sicilian Pinot Grigio Blush Rosé 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Grigio Country of origin: Italy Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians 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

Short Sleeve Diamond Pointelle Top, at Marks & Spenser
Indulge in soft, warm comfort with this thermal easy to wear knitted top. Perfect for adding a snug extra layer to your outfits during the winter months

2 Pure Cotton Chino Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
A stylish smart-casual look, these straight leg chinos are made from pure cotton. A comfortable, practical and easycare choice. Made in an eco-factory, designed to use less energy and create less waste

Tyrrell's Single Vineyard Belford Hunter Chardonnay 2005 - Case of 6, at Mark's & Spencer
Style: Dry, oaked Grape variety: Chardonnay Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap 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 Limited Collection Vest & Shorts Set, at Marks & Spenser
Fabulous and modern, this vest and shorts set is part of our Limited Collection lingerie. They're made from soft stretch cotton and designed to fit and flatter. Casual, contemporary fashion

Autograph Merano 2-Seater Unit (Left-Hand Arm), at M&S
H84 x W172 x D102cm Seat H47cm, arm H63cm, top back rail H63cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions made from shape-retaining foam with extra-thick fibre wrap - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Other cushions filled with polyester fibre. Gives a soft sit with a lived-in look, which will soften and relax even further with use. Fibre is sewn into channels within the interior to prevent settlement in one area of the cushion Fabric options have reversible cushions Available in fixed cushion covers only 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 Glide feet with a dark finish 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 service: 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 that fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Luxury Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Mark's & Spencer
Offering a timeless appeal, the soft twill finish of this pure cotton shirt provides easy to wear comfort, while the traditional cut makes it an essential part of any smart wardrobe

Pure Cotton Block Stripe Cover Up Beach Dress, at Mark's & Spencer
Modern and stylish, this flattering beach dress is designed in the latest shape. A fabulous fashionable look

Gold Plated Filigree Gem Pendant Necklace, at M+S
Rope style necklace Filigree gem pendant Clasp fastening necklace with adjustable length Necklace length 41cm

Light-up Groovy Grandad Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Grandad Happy Birthday Inside message: Have a great day! Approx size: 215 x 150mm

Nectarine & Orange Infusion Sticks, at Marks&Spencer
Fragranced liquid in glass bottle diffused by wood sticks into your room Nectarine and orange scented, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Earth Sign Bracelet, at Marks and Spencers
Stretch style Beaded design Earth charms Diamant detail

Per Una Low Rise Contrast Stitch Shorts, at Marks and Spencer
Elegant and feminine, these delicate shorts are made from a soft comfortable modal blend and feature a lace trim

Woodphotoframes - MULTI APP DESK, at Mark's & Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Raised Apron Stitch Slip-On Shoes, at Marks n Spencer
Square toe Raised apron stitch Stitch detail Slip-on Block heel

M&S Coffee Maker, at Marks & Spencers
Filter coffee maker - Americano, flat white 1.5 litre capacity 1000 watt Keep warm function Anti-drip feature Programmable digital timer Removable and washable filter Removable filter basket Water level gauge Dimensions: H36cm Automatic safety feature to switch off warm plate after over an hour 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

Large Bow Gift Bag, at Marks & Spencer
1 gift bag with tag Large satin ribbon bow feature H270 x W360 x D100mm

Total Support Non-Wired Built-Up Lace Shoulder Bra, at Marks & Spensers
Soft and comfortable, this lightweight bra is designed to give gentle all-round support and uplift. It's secure but lightweight and features extra wide straps

Marananga Dam GSM 2005 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Grenache, Shiraz & Mourvedre Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.9 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

2 Older Girls' Cotton Rich Assorted Tights, at Marks & Spenser
Cute and comfy, these soft cotton rich tights feature a reinforced toe.

Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener, at Marks&Spencer
Cylindrical shape Compact design

Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Semillon and Sauvignon Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 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

Agrapart & Fils 'Terroirs' Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne NV - Case of 6, at Marks n Spencer
Style: Sparkling and dry Grape variety: Chardonnay Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 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

Lego City Front End Loader Toy, at M+S
Suitable for ages 5+ Move around the construction site with ease! Front end loader pivots and the bucket lifts and lowers! Includes 1 construction worker minifigure! Measures 8 inches (20cm) long! This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

5 Cotton Rich Cushioned Trainer Liner Socks with Cool&Fresh, at Marks and Spencers
These trainer liners feature a cushioning sole for shock absorption and comfort. Knitted arch support keeps them in place during exercise

AVG 8.5 Internet Security - 1 Year License for 1 User, at Marks n Spencer
Anti-Virus: Protection against viruses, worms and trojans Anti-Spyware: Protection against spyware and adware Identity Protection: Prevents new and unknown threats from stealing your personal information like bank and credit card details Anti-Spam with anti-phishing: Filters out unwanted and fraudulent e-mails Anti-Rootkit: Protection against hidden threats (rootkits) Web Shield & LinkScanner: Protection against malicious websites Firewall: Blocks hacker attacks System Tools: AVG's System Tools let you easily configure your privacy settings, connections, and browser plug-ins all in one place Real-time: Real-time scanning, automatic updates, low-impact background scanning for online threats, and instant quarantining or removal of infected files to ensure maximum protection All inclusive: Technical support, virus updates, and new program versions included for the length of your license Minimum system requirements for AVG Anti Virus: Intel Pentium 1.2 GHz, 250 MB free hard drive space (for installation), 256 MB RAM available, MS Windows 2000

Cotton Blend Shawl Collar Longline Cardigan, at Mark's & Spencer
Smart and stylish, this casual longline cardigan makes the perfect light extra layer. It features shawl collar with attached pockets for a fashionable touch.

Per Una Pure Linen Safari Shorts, at Marks and Spencers
Comes with belt shown in image Casual metallic shorts in pure cool linen featuring a turn up hem with side tab detail

Glass Teardrop Table Lamp, at Marks and Spencer
H61 x Diam 30cm Fabric shade Glass base Teardrop design Bulb: 100W GLS or 21W CFL 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

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

Also, on both Marks & Spencer Money Premier Buildings & Contents Insurance and Standard Buildings & Contents 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.