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

When you're shopping at Marks and Spencer online store for your summer outfit, or looking for furniture to give your home a makeover, then spend a moment to also consider products from M+S Money. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks & Spenser than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from M+S Money. With images of volcano ash still fresh in many traveller's minds, it's good to remember there were many travellers who ended up wishing they had spent just a few pounds extra to obtain travel insurance for their trip. Of course, unfortunately, after the event is too late!

In fact, had you purchased travel insurance from M+S Money, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M+S Money website would have seen a message stating that although claims relating to volcanic eruptions are not normally covered by travel insurance, that on this particular occasion, they would "allow claims from UK customers affected by the volcanic ash that has recently grounded flights."

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 and 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 UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Ceriso Floral Print Padded Balcony Bra, at Marks and Spencers
Fun and fabulous, this padded bra is part of our Limited Collection lingerie. The balcony shape gives maximum uplift for a flattering look. For a funky look, mix and match with coordinating lingerie from Limited. Casual, contemporary fashion

Photographic Kite Dad Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover Text: For a special dad Inside Message: With lots of love on your birthday Approx. Size: 230 mm x 114 mm

Per Una Essentials Clover Embroidered Padded Plunge Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Feminine and delicate, this stylish bra is beautifully embellished clover embroidery. It's underwired for extra support and the plunge style gives an enhanced shape. Pretty everyday fashion

Ribbon Trim Hat, at Marks and Spencer
Keep ahead of the trends with this contemporary ribbon sunhat, an essential look for style in the sun

Perfect Invisible Low Leg Briefs, at Marks and Spencers
Part of our Perfect range, these briefs give a fashionable look with plenty of support

Cotton Rich Long Sleeve Hooded Jacket, at Marks n Spencer
Soft and comfy, this sporty hooded jacket makes a practical and fashionable choice

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Pearly Cardigan, at Marks & Spenser
A feminine 3/4 sleeve cardigan featuring an open weave knit and button fastening

Per Una Pleat Detail Bowler Bag with Corsage, at Marks and Spencers
Pleat detail and rose corsage makes this fashionable bag even more special. Give your look the Per Una twist!

Per Una Floral Jacquard Scarf, at Marks and Spencer
This sophisticated floral jacquard scarf is the perfect accessory to this season's fashions. The tasselled edge adds a stylish finishing touch.

Collezione Pure New Wool Single Breasted Soft Check Jacket, at Marks & Spenser
A pristine example of fine Italian style, this distinguished single vent jacket is fashioned from Pure New Wool and features a stunning contrast lining for a refined finishing touch

Classic Voices CD, at Marks & Spencer
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Cotton Blend Floral Button Jeans, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and practical, these cotton jeans are hardwearing and comfy. Floral buttons give a cute look

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Floral Top, at Marks&Spencer
This fashionable top features a stylish floral design for a fab contemporary look

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Postage Print T-Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and relaxed, this postage print t-shirt is made from pure cotton so it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

DD-G Lace Built-Up Shoulder Bra, at Marks & Spencer
A lovely addition to your day to day underwear drawer. This versatile bra combines the shaping and support of underwiring and adjustable straps with the convenient comfort of an easy to care for design

3/4 Sleeve Self Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spencers
Smart and stylish, this 3/4 sleeve shirt features a stunning self stripe design. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season

Older Boys' Pure Cotton Denim Shorts, at Mark & Spensers
Comes with belt shown in image Practical and fashionable, these relaxed denim shorts make a great choice for warmer weather

Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS Digital Camera, at Marks & Spenser
Pixels: 10.0 megapixels Zoom: 3.0x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom with optical Image Stabilizer Screen: 2.5 PureColor LCD II ISO: AUTO, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Dimensions: W88.5 x H54.8 x D21.8 mm Weight: 120g VGA Movies: Supplement your still images with fun 30fps VGA movie clips. A Long Play mode lets you store twice as much footage on the camera's memory card Motion Detection Technology: Eliminate blur by compensating for subject motion and camera-shake PictBridge Enabled: Enables you to print images using a USB cable to connect the PowerShot A470 to a printer without a PC Face Detection Technology: Ensures superb people shots by automatically setting optimum focus, exposure, flash and white balance Red-Eye Correction: Easily removes red-eye in-camera Processor: DIGIC 4 processor drives exceptional processing speeds, responsive operation, superb image quality and colour reproduction. Richly detailed, cleaner images, even at high ISO speeds, are the result of advanced Noise Reduction Shooting Modes & Special Scenes: 14 shooting modes include Special Scenes like Sunset, Portrait and Kids & Pets, which make it easy to get great results in common shooting situations. My Colors in-camera photo effects such as Black & White can be applied during shooting i-Contrast: i-Contrast analyses a scene during shooting or playback, then boosts brightness in dark areas without blowing out light areas. This helps uncover previously hidden detail in the shadow areas of an image System requirements: Windows XP SP2-3 / Vista (including SP1), Mac OS X v10.4 - 10.5 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

Orchids on Kraft Large Gift Bag, at M&S
1 gift bag Approx size: H270 x W360 x D100 mm

Maternity 3/4 Sleeve Wrap Jersey Dress, at Mark's & Spencer
Fashionable and modern, this 3/4 sleeve wrap dress is designed to flatter you and your bump. Added stretch and a clever cut give a neat, comfortable fit with room for growth. Enjoy your pregnancy in style!

Bright Prints A4 Notebook, at Marks and Spencers
Contains: 1 A4 notebook Check design Approx size: 216 x 295mm (including spiral binding)

4 Size Funnel Set, at Marks and Spencers
Set of 4 Mixed sizes, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ceriso Cupcake Bikini Knickers, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable and flirty, these modern bikinis feature contrast trim. The low rise, high leg bikini style gives a fabulous body-conscious fit. Designed for women who want the latest look

5 Pure Cotton Plain Slips, at Marks and Spencers
Comfortable, practical and fashionable, this 5 pack of plain slips is made from soft breathable cotton

Total Support Plain Bra, at M+S
Soft and comfortable, this non-wired bra gives all-round support and uplift with good coverage, extra wide straps and 3 hook-and-eye fasteners. It's secure but gentle and lightweight, an ideal choice for everyday wear

Autograph Leather Pleated Pumps, at Marks&Spencer
Pointed toe Slip on Pleat detail Patent design Flat sole Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Smooth Cup Padded Bra, at Marks & Spencers
Sleek and stylish, this exceptionally soft, comfortable bra is perfectly smooth, so there are no visible outlines under clothing. Light padding and underwiring give an enhanced natural shape. Designed for women who want a streamlined silhouette

V-Neck Sleeveless Top, at Marks n Spencer
This sleeveless top has a stylish stitch detail. A key fashion essential this season

Per Una Floral Print Sequin Shoulder Bag, at Marks and Spencers
Sequin embellishment makes this fashionable bag even more special. Give your look the Per Una twist!

M&S HP 27 Compatible Cartridge, at Marks and Spencers
Black cartridge Compatible with HP printers using HP 27 For use in deskjet: 3320, 3325, 3420, 3425 series, 3520, 3535, 3550, 3645, 3650, 3745, 3845, 5650, 5652, 5655, 5850, For use in officejet: 4215, 4219, 4252, 4255, 4315, 4355, 5605, 5610, 5615, 6110 For use in PSC: 1210, 1215, 1217, 1219, 1311, 1312, 1315/s, 1317 This cartridge is not an original product but has been re-manufactured and refilled to the most exacting standards 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

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

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from MarksandSpencer, 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 Car Insurance from M+S Money, you get more, and you pay less.