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

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Money. Not least of these is Marks & Spencer 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 Marks n Spencer, 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 Marks & Spencers Money, you get more, and you pay less.

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

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

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

Autograph Pure Pima Cotton Straight Leg Jeans, at Marks & Spencers
Made with superior pima cotton, these straight fit jeans have a luxuriously soft touch for the ultimate in comfort. Each pair is hand finished to give them a casual, more worn appearance

Almond Toe Gusset Feature Shoe Boots, at Marks & Spensers
Almond toe Centre stitch detail Gusset feature Slip on Mid heel Heel height: 66mm

Older Boys' Pure Cotton Bart Simpson Check Pyjamas, at Marks and Spencer
A must for fans of The Simpsons, these pyjamas feature the popular character

Scoop Neck Lace Vest, at Mark & Spencers
Stylish and practical, this lace vest makes an ideal choice for everyday wear

Autograph Supima® Sateen Flat Sheet, at Marks & Spencer
Pleated border Comes in single (3ft), double (4ft 6in), kingsize (5ft) and super-kingsize (6ft), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Portfolio Short Sleeve Geo Print Blouse, at Marks & Spencers
Part of Portfolio's Shades of Paradise trend, featuring the earthy tones of nature combined with rich, tropical highlights. Elegant and feminine styling makes this a chic summer look

Favourite Handbags Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: You can never have too many handbags, Shopping bag, stylish bag, beach bag, casual bag, designer bag, disco bag, work bag, favourite bag Inside message: Happy Birthday Approx size: 230 x 114mm

Retro Arcade Shoot, at Mark & Spencers
The Retro Arcade Shoot is an infra-red shooting gallery game! Aim your joystick at those pesky aliens for 10 points each, score bonus points when you see (and hit!) the blue LED light at the back of the game Play against the clock or select continuous play Choose from fast or slow modes Requires 4 x AA batteries (included) Recommended for ages 8 years and above, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Sprung-Edge Non-Storage Divan & M400 Mattress, at MarksandSpencer
Single Mattress (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double Mattress (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size Mattress (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super King Size Mattress (6ft): W180 x L200cm Single Divan (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double Divan (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size Divan (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super King Size Divan (6ft): W180 x L200cm Mattress depth: 24cm Divan Height: 41cm Mattress filling made from resilient foam and polyester fibre Further filling layers of cotton and lambs wool keeps you warm in summer and cool in winter Two rows of hand side-stitching give the mattress edge-to-edge support. This allows you full use of the sleeping surface Individually pocketed springs Mattress Spring Count: 1054 Sprung-Edge divan - can be used with any mattress All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected Mattress does not require turning All mattresses and Divans are manufactured in the UK A sample mattress is subjected to 3 rigorous tests to ensure it remains comfortable. Surface fabric is rubbed 15,000 times against a hard surface to test resistance to wear. Mattress is pounded by a machine 80,000 times to replicate the movements of a human torso and subjected to 20,000 rolls of a roller machine to simulate the rolling motion of a sleeping person 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Artificial Orchid in Mirror Bowl, at Marks and Spencers
Artificial orchid Mirror bowl vase No watering required therefore easy care Fresh looking throughout the year Height: 50cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Stain Defence™ Pleated Fashion Skirt, at Marks and Spencers
Smart and stylish, this fashionable skirt is treated with Stain Defence™ technology which helps repel everyday stains. The adjustable waist gives a perfectly comfortable fit for longer

Perfect Tuck Belted Dress, at Marks & Spencers
The A-line silhouette of this shift dress flatters all ages and shapes, while the pleat neck adds key detail for autumn

Long Sleeve Ruffle Stripe Cardigan with Angora, at M&S
A touch of angora adds fluffy softness to this modern ruffle stripe cardigan. Snuggle up in style

Chunky Wave Ring, at Marks & Spensers
Plain Chunky design Wave detail

Brand New 200 Sudoku Puzzles for The Weekend, at Marks & Spencer
At the end of a stressful working week, relax with this new collection of sudoku puzzles. You dont need to be a maths whiz, all you need is a logical mind. So prepare your favourite breakfast and grab yourself a pencil to enjoy this collection of 200 sudoku puzzles for the weekend.

Perfect Cotton Rich Long Sleeve Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
A well cut shirt is a wardrobe staple. Ours has a touch of stretch for extra comfort and it's great value, too

Collezione Oxford Dress Shoe, at Marks and Spenser
Round toe Lace up Stitch detail Block heel

Stain Defence™ & Stormwear™ Straight Leg Trousers with Belt, at M&S
Comfortable and hardwearing, these stylish wool blend trousers are treated with Stain Defence™ and Stormwear™. These high performance finishes help resist stains and water. Zipped pockets keep lunch money safe and an adjustable waist gives a perfectly comfortable fit for longer

Autograph Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Pleated Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Feminine and elegant, this sophisticated long sleeve shirt is beautifully designed and cut for a flattering shape and features a striking pleated front

Humax PVR-9150T Digital Television Recorder with 160GB HDD & Twin Tuner, at Marks & Spencers
Digital terrestrial set-top box Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel Access to Freeview+ channels Simultaneous playback of previous recording and recording of 2 channels Up to 100 hours of recording on an integrated 160GB HDD MPEG-2 Digital & Fully DVB-T Compliant Picture In Picture (PIP) for viewing 2 programs on 1 screen Pause & Play live TV (Time Shift Recording) One touch record scheduling in EPG Common Interface for Pay TV Software Upgrade via OTA & serial connection (RS-232C) Dimensions: W36 x H5 x D24.5cm Weight: 2.9kg

3/4 Sleeve Knitted Mock Layer Cardigan with Linen, at Marks & Spencer
Modern and stylish, this cardigan features a ring fastening. Ideal for layering

Floral Favourites, at Mark's & Spencer
A charming gift bag full of soft pink gerberas, cream roses, pretty chrysanthemums and phlox Available for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

Diamanté Cross Christening Card, at Marks&Spencer
Cover text: With love on your Christening day Inside message: Wishing you a special day Approx size: Unfolded: 178 x 126mm

60th Birthday Beads Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: 60 Inside message: congratulations Approx size: 126 x 174mm

Gold Hearts Table Confetti, at MarksandSpencer
Pack Contains: 20g approx

Cotton Rich Multiway Underwired Follow On Bra, at M+S
This simply styled great value bra is ideal for everyday wear. It's made from stretchy fabric for a supportive and comfortable fit. Designed as a follow on bra, the unique soft underwiring is perfect for girls who have been wearing our non wired bras for 2 years

Limited Collection Check Pencil Skirt, at Mark's & Spencer
Sleek and chic, this check design pencil skirt is tailored to fit and flatter. A stylish choice for work or smart occasions and it's machine washable for added convenience

Casa Leona Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Cabernet Country of origin: Chile Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 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

Multi Floral Padded Underwired Bra, at Marks & Spensers
Sleek and stylish, this 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

M&S 2-Slice Toaster - Black, at Marks & Spencer
2 slice toaster 850W Defrost, reheat and cancel settings Automatic and manual switch off Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning With indication light Cord storage Wide slots (33mm), fit for all kinds of bread Elegant design with stainless steel body Dimensions: H21 x W30 x D18cm 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

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 M & S 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.