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 M&S 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 n Spencer, 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 Car Insurance, M&S Property 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 Marks and Spencers are so useful. M+S Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Mark's & Spencer 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, Property Insurance policies. Usually, UK Property 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 Property 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 Property Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Mark & Spencers may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Property Insurance or Car Insurance, but Marks & Spenser 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 Financial Services 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 Property 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 (Property Insurance, Car 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 & Spencer insurance products in document format too.

Formula Age Restructure Eye Cream, at Marks and Spencers
Intensive silky smooth eye cream for the 60+ complexion Brazilian ginseng, Marapuama and white lily complex to target dark circles and puffiness around the eyes Calcium complex to firm and improve the structure of the sagging skin Collageneer a lupin extract to strengthen and improve skin elasticity Suitable for all skin types Hypoallergenic 15ml

Medium Impact Non-Wired Sports Bra, at Marks n Spencer
Comfortable and secure, this medium impact sports bra gives firm, gentle support for active wear

2 Angel Lace Wing First Bras, at Marks & Spensers
These great value bras are ideal for everyday wear. They're made with stretchy fabric for a supportive and comfortable fit. The unique soft underwiring is perfect for girls who have been wearing our non wired bras for 2 years

Pure Move DAB Digital Radio, at Mark's & Spencer
Frequency ranges: DAB Band III 174-240 MHz, FM 87.5-108 MHz Audio power output: 1.8W RMS Input connectors: 5V DC power adaptor socket (230V supplied), 3.5 mm Aux-in, and Mini USB connector for software upgrades Output connectors: 3.5 mm stereo headphone output Controls: Power, Lock, Info, Preset, Navigator, DAB/FM and Menu LCD Display: Orange backlit LCD display with 16x2 characters, function icons (volume, battery life, time, EQ, signal strength, DAB/FM and stereo) and clock. Key-press activated backlight can also be set to 'always on' for optimum visibility or 'always off' for longer battery life Mains power supply: 230V AC to 5V (0.6A) DC external power adapter Battery power supply: ChargePAK-inside Li-ion 4200 mAh rechargeable battery provides over 40 hours of portable DAB listening Aerial: Recessed telescopic aerial supplied. Headphones act as an aerial when connected. (Headphones not supplied.) Text scan: Pause and control scrolling text, giving you time to note down web addresses, competition phone numbers or song titles USB: Add new features as they become available via USB RDS: RDS support for station name display on FM and RDS scrolling text 20 presets: 20 presets (10 DAB and 10 FM) Connection: Connect an iPod/MP3 player or portable CD Dimensions: W15 x H8.5 x D2.7cm Weight: 280g 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

Ataraxia Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Natural Cork Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 6 x 75cl Alcohol by volume: 13% 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

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Hooded Jacket, at Marks and Spenser
Comfy and cosy, this hooded jacket feels soft and warm and is great value. A practical, easycare style

Single Breasted Mid Length Belted Mac, at M&S
Practical and fashionable, this water resistant mac features a single breasted design and button down notch lapel. Perfect for drizzly days, it can be accessorised with a rain hat or umbrella to see you through the season in style

Limited Collection Stud Detail Leggings, at Marks and Spenser
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel

Fairtrade Lily Bouquet, at M+S
This beautiful Fairtrade flower bouquet, featuring white Oriental lilies and lovely gypsophila, is sure to make someone smile Fairtrade Certified Flowers Available for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

Cosy Knee High Stripe Socks, at M & S
These essential knee highs are outstanding value. They're made with added stretch and a reinforced toe for comfort and durability

Adored Comfort Pansy Lace Shorts, at Marks & Spencer
Delicate and pretty, these briefs are made from the softest fabric and trims, so they feel blissfully comfortable to wear. The modern shorts style gives a flattering shapely fit. Feminine everyday lingerie

2 Bamboo Placemats, at Marks and Spenser
2 pack Rectangular placemats, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pop Star Girl Age 8 Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: 8...happy birthday...to a real star! Inside message: Have a great day! Approx size: 174 x 126mm

Pure Cotton Floral Embroidered Duvet Cover, at M&S
Floral embroidered design Frill detail Comes in single (3ft), double (4ft 6in), kingsize (5ft) and super-kingsize (6ft), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Easy Pasta, at Marks & Spensers
Passionate about pasta? Enjoy a great collection of quick and easy-to-make recipes that can be ready in minutes

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Spider-Man™ T-Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
Fans of Spider-Man will love this pure cotton t-shirt featuring the popular character. A practical, easycare style

2 Malbec Dark Brown Bonded Leather & Chrome Dining Chairs, at Marks and Spencer
H86 x W48 x D51cm Seat: H49cm Sold as pair Bonded leather seat Chrome effect legs Some self-assembly required. Delivered boxed to your door. You will need to unpack, assemble and position the item yourself This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker, at Marks & Spencers
Metallic sheen Suitable for cocktails H30cm 10 cm deep, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Signature Green Fig Infusion Sticks, at Marks and Spencers
Scented infusion sticks Fragrance lasts up to 8 weeks Glass holder included, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Print Weave Holiday Hat, at Marks & Spenser
This stylish weave hat is finished with a floral trim. Perfect for holidays or a sunny day

Apple iPod Shuffle 4GB, at Marks and Spencers
Smallest iPod shuffle ever 4GB of storage (up to 1,000 songs) Easy access controls VoiceOver - tells you song titles, artists, and playlist titles through your headphones Durable, anodised aluminium case with stainless steel clip Playback time: Up to 10 hours when fully charged Built-in rechargeable lithium polymer battery Skip-free playback Dimensions: H45.2 x W17.5 x D7.8mm Weight: 10.7 grams For Mac and Windows. Requires Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (service pack 3 or later) or Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later In the box: iPod shuffle, earphones, USB cable TM and 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved 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

Autograph Pure Abaca Snake Trim Hat, at Marks & Spensers
Luxurious, fashionable and elegant, this pure abaca hat features a modern contrast design to give it a sophisticated look To receive your FREE hat box, simply click on the hat box below and add it to your basket

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

Handcrafted Photographic Kitten Mother's Day Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: To a very special mum ...with love on mother's day Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: Unfolded: 150 x 150mm

5 No VPL Plain High Leg Knickers, at Marks and Spencers
Offering great value and great comfort, these fantastic everyday knickers feature a flattering high leg cut set against an understated, easy to care for design

Secret Support™ Cotton Rich Lace Trim Vest, at Marks & Spensers
Flattering and feminine, this vest is made with Secret Support™ which gives gentle support and a flattering, defined shape. A soft, comfortable style

Abstract Print Tie Waist Mesh Skirt, at Marks and Spencers
Pretty and feminine, this skirt makes a fashionable, flattering choice. A smart modern look

Autograph Skinny Diagonal Stripe Tie, at Marks & Spenser
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

Disney Fairies Activity Case, at Mark & Spencers
Fans of Disney Fairies will love this fun activity case which includes a board game, activity book and more!

Limited Collection Front Frill Longline Cardigan, at MarksandSpencer
Pretty and feminine, this front frill cardigan is made with comfortable breathable cotton. Get the latest look!

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