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 MarksandSpencer, 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 Car 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 may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Buildings & Contents Insurance or Car Insurance, but Marks and Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer Money website. With a simple, no-hassle service, you can compare features between a number of M+S Money products and competitor's products, and sign up in just a few minutes.

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

Free insurance quotes are available online for all of Marks & Spencer Money insurance products (Buildings & Contents 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 Mark's & Spencer insurance products in document format too.

Shopping for financial products at Marks & Spencer Money UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks & Spencers 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 Car 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 & Spencer, 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.

Pure Cotton Animal Hooded Reversible Jacket, at Marks & Spenser
The animal print makes this little jacket super cute. It's warmly padded and made from soft cotton to keep him comfy and cosy

School Riptape Plimsolls, at Marks and Spenser
Made with breathable cotton, these plimsolls are a practical choice for PE or play. Riptape fastening gives a good fit and makes it easy to put them on quickly

4 Summer Manor Mugs, at Marks & Spencers
Floral pattern Contrast handle, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Floral Embroidered Lace Shorts, at Mark's & Spencer
Elegant and feminine, these stylish shorts feature a floral embroidery and are finished with lace and a bow. The low rise, low leg style gives a shapely figure-flattering fit. Pretty everyday fashion

Collezione Pure Merino Wool Rugby Top, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable and contemporary, this rugby collar top is part of Collezione, a sophisticated menswear collection inspired by Italian style

Teddy Bears' Picnic Cake, at Marks & Spensers
36 portions Sponge cake: All-butter sponge filled with buttercream and raspberry jam. Can be eaten up to 5 days after collection Cake size: 20.5cm square 2.1kg total weight Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers Suitable for vegetarians Comes in a box suitable for storing the cake before serving As featured on page 64 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 7 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Floral Custom Shirt Cardigan, at Marks & Spencers
A cosy 3/4 sleeve cardigan in a soft knitted fabric featuring a floral embroided stitch design and mixed buttons

Autograph Weekend Cotton Rich Funnel Neck Trench Coat, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Autograph Weekend's Sloane trend. Casual yet sophisticated, this is weekend dressing at its most stylish. Featuring a cool colour palette of crisp navy, neutrals and red, this is an effortlessly chic look for the new season

Die Cut Letters Nephew Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Nephew Happy Birthday Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 230 x 114 mm

Château Peymartin St Julien 2003 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Full Bodied Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 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

Grandad Armchair Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Greatest Grandad Inside message: Happy Birthday FSC: This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the worlds forests for the future Approx. size: 175 mm x 126 mm

Botteghino Chianti 2006 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spenser
Style: Dry, medium bodied Grape variety: 100% Sangiovese Country of origin: Italy Closure: Natural cork 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

3/4 Sleeve Front Tie Mock Layer Top, at Marks and Spencer
It looks like a vest and a top, but this fashionable mock layered design is just one piece. The stripe print adds a stylish touch.

Low Rise Shorts, at M+S
These exceptionally soft comfortable shorts are finished with smooth flat edges, so there are no visible outlines under clothes. The close fit and low rise style give a sleek, shapely look. Designed for women who want a streamlined silhouette

3 Pure Cotton Assorted Words Tea Towels, at Marks n Spencer
3 part set Assorted words designs, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

50/50 Plain Dye Pillowcase, at Mark's & Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Fox Hollow Single Vineyard Semillon 2005 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Semillon Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 11.5% vol Alcohol units per bottle 8.6 Alcohol units per 125ml 1.4 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

3 Pure Cotton Plain Trunks, at Marks and Spencer
These essential plain trunks offer all the comfort of soft cotton at a great value price

Limited Collection Rio Cluster Pendant Necklace, at Marks and Spencers
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Rio cluster pendant Necklace length 84cm, extendable by 8cm

Glitter Roses Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover text: Happy Birthday Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: Unfolded: 174 x 126mm

7 Denier Sheer Body Shapers, at Marks n Spencer
Always look your best under that special dress by lifting, shaping and defining your figure with these great body shaper tights

Patent Lace Up Mid Heel Shoe Boots, at Marks and Spencers
Almond toe Lace up Stitch detail Mid heel Heel height: 72mm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Autograph Satin Foldover Clutch Bag, at M&S
Luxurious and beautiful, this foldover clutch handbag is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. It's handy compartments make it useful and practical as well as being a highly desirable fashion accessory

Signature Grapefruit & Ginger Scented Filled Candle, at Marks and Spencers
Glass holder Grapefruit and ginger fragrance, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Footglove™ Leather Square Toe Ankle Boots, at Marks & Spenser
Square toe Centre stitch detail Side zip fastening Ankle high Mid heel Heel height: 55mm Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Blue Harbour Short Sleeve Geo Print Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Relaxed and casual, this Blue Harbour geo print shirt is made from a modal blend so it feels exceptionally comfortable to wear. Modal is a luxuriously soft fabric made from natural plant fibres

3/4 Sleeve Spot Print Pyjama Top, at Mark's & Spencer
Pretty and feminine, this 3/4 sleeve pyjama top is made with modal, a supersoft fabric that feels luxurious and comfortable to wear

Younger Girls' Bird Print Slippers, at Marks & Spencers
Round toe Bird print Single strap Bow detail Spot lining Flat sole

Hand Crafted Stitched Guitar Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: Happy birthday Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 178 x 126mm

Big & Tall Single Breasted Ultimate Blazer, at Marks&Spencer
Specially proportioned for big and tall men, this ultimate blazer is designed to give a flattering, comfortable fit

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