When you're shopping at Marks & 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 & Contents Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks & Spensers 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."

Besides Marks & Spensers Car Insurance, M&S Money Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S 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 M&S 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 MarksandSpencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S 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.

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

Gold Rope Photo Frame 13 x 18cms (5 x 7"), at Marks & Spencer
Gold rope design Aperture: 13 x 18cms (5 x 7"), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Linen Blend Variegated Short Sleeve Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Smart and refined, this shirt is part of an exclusive range of beautiful garments, available only in our top stores and online. It's made from superfine yarn so it feels luxuriously smooth. Designed for a stylish contemporary look and great fit

Retro Pedal Bin, at Marks and Spencer
Contrast pedal Classic design Circular shape, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

3 Pack of 40 Denier Opaque Tights, at Marks and Spencers
Complete with a reinforced toe and added stretch for lasting comfort and durability, these opaque tights are the perfect choice for giving your legs a wonderfully attractive sheen

Baroque Jacquard Pillowcase, at Marks & Spencers
Baroque jacquard design Fits standard pillows, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

The Floral Collection Mixed Talcs, at Marks and Spencer
Pack of 4 4 x 50g Magnolia Talcum Powder Ingredients: Talc, Magnolia Liliflora (Magnolia), Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Citronellol, Aqua, Isoeugenol, Propylene Glycol, Eugenol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Sorbital, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben Rose Talcum Powder Ingredients: Talc, Parfum, Rosa Centifolia (Rose), Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Aqua, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben Lavender Talcum Powder Ingredients: Talc, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Parfum, Linalool, Aqua, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Geraniol, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben Iris talcum powder Ingredients: Talc, Iris Florentina (Iris) Flower Extract, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl, Ionone, Aqua, Propylene Glycol

Classic Duckling Baby Flip Photograph Album, at Marks & Spenser
Contains: 1 photo album Album: H152 x W175 x D40mm Photo sleeves: 120 x 160mm (for 4.5 in x 6 in photos)

Collezione Gradient Stripe Tie, at Marks and Spencers
Stylish and luxurious, this pure silk tie is part of Collezione, a sophisticated menswear collection inspired by Italian tailoring

2 Cotton Rich Firm Control Briefs, at M&S
This pack of 2 firm control knickers is outstanding value! They gently flatten tummies for a sleeker, slimmer silhouette

Pearl Clam Vanity Purse, at Marks and Spencers
Pearl Calm design Bead puller Two inner zip sections Detachable mirror

Autograph Diamanté Key & Lock Keyring, at Marks and Spenser
Clasp fastening Key and lock pendants Diamant detail

Paua Shell Pear Necklace and Earring Set, at Marks and Spencer
2 piece set Pear shaped polished shell earrings Multi pear shaped polished shell pendants

Real Cool Cotton™ Cropped Leggings, at Marks and Spencer
As worn by GB Olympic pentathletes. Made from Real Cool Cotton™ and with added stretch for essential ease of movement, these comfy and practical cropped leggings are great for active workouts or stylish relaxation

Large Diamanté Platinum-Plated Square Stud Earrings, at Marks & Spencers
Stud earrings Diamant design Butterfly fastening Platinum-plated For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Classic Collection Floral Print Skirt, at Marks and Spencer
Elegant and feminine, this floral print skirt is designed for a shapely silhouette. A smart modern look

Plain Lace Trim High Rise Shorts, at Marks and Spencers
These cotton rich shorts are shapely and modern. They have been designed with added stretch for a snug, comfortable and figure-flattering fit

Suzie Damask Jacquard Valance, at Marks and Spencer
Comes in single (3ft), double (4ft 6in), kingsize (5ft) and super-kingsize (6ft) Damask jacquard design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Dinosaur Walkie Talkies, at Marks and Spencer
Suitable for age 3-6 years Imaginative play Range of 30metres 210 x 95 x 155mm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Stripe Jumper, at M&S
Contemporary and casual, this stripe jumper is made from pure natural cotton and features a v-neck for a fashionable look

Royal Jelly & Pure Honey Anti-Ageing Hand & Nail Cream, at Mark's & Spencer
Formulated to prevent age spots 150ml

Autograph Essentials Wool Rich Single Button Jacket, at M+S
Luxurious and elegant, this smartly tailored wool rich single breasted jacket is part of our exclusive Autograph range

Autograph Mineral Powder Eyeshadow, at MarksandSpencer
Hypoallergenic Fragrance and preservative free

Autograph Pure Silk Floral Pattern Tie, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionable and contemporary, this pure silk tie is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Designer style and luxury at high street prices

Extending Floor Lamp & Shade, at Marks and Spencer
Antique brass finish steel Fabric shade 40 x 162cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Pure Linen Flared Panel Skirt, at Marks n Spencer
Comes with belt shown in image An elegant A-line skirt in a cool linen blend, the panel design makes it extra stylish

Faux Pearl Candy Bead Long Necklace, at Marks & Spencers
Mixed beads Long length Necklace length: 92cm

Hammered Square Detail Sunglasses, at Marks and Spenser
These elegantly understated sunglasses will never go out of style. A fabulously versatile summer essential

Maximum Support Sheer Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Feel fabulous and comfortable in this elegant and supportive bra. It's lightweight yet shaped to give all-round uplift and support thanks to extra wide back straps and wide shoulder straps

2 Younger Boys' Camouflage Belts, at Marks and Spencers
Fun and fashionable, these camouflage belts add a stylish finishing touch

Per Una Frill Neck Dress, at Marks and Spencer
A stylish colourful dress featuring a frill neck design. Ruffle trim details give it the Per Una touch

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 Mark's & Spencer 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 Tescos 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.