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 Spencers 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 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 & Spencers 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 M+S 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 and Spenser Car Insurance, M+S Money Credit Cards and other financial products, M+S Money Buildings 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 Marks & Spencers purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M+S Money Premier Buildings Insurance and Standard Buildings 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.

Stainless Steel Barbecue Tool Set, at M&S
5 piece Barbeque set 1 x turner 1 x tongs 3 x skewers Stainless steel

Per Una Pure Cotton Rose Spot Pyjamas, at Marks & Spencers
Modern and feminine, these pretty pyjamas are made from soft cotton so you can relax in comfort and style. Part of Per Una's sleepwear collection

Autograph Pure Cotton Stripe Rugby Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Cute and fun, the stripe design makes this practical top extra special. It's made from soft cotton and feels comfy to wear.

Non-Iron Long Sleeve Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Smart and innovative, this easycare shirt has a special finish on the fabric and is cleverly constructed to make it non-iron. A great time saver, ideal for work wear

Plastic Wrap Sunglasses, at Mark's & Spencer
With full UV protection and a flattering modern design, these smart sunglasses will see you through the summer in style

Collections - WOOD DOG, at Marks and Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Large Check Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
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

Per Una Satin Front Frill 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
A sophisticated knitted 3/4 sleeve cardigan featuring a satin front frill detail

Secret Support™ DD-G Lace Trim Vest, at Marks & Spenser
Flattering and feminine, this lace trim vest is made with Secret Support™ which gives gentle support and a flattering, defined shape. A soft, comfortable style

Pure Silk Square Grid Dot Tie, at Marks & Spencers
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this smart patterned tie in pure silk

Cream & Black RSVP Cards - Pack of Ten, at Marks & Spenser
Inside message: Many thanks for your kind wedding invitation................................................................Would be pleased to accept/cannot accept 10 cards, 1 design Approx size: 133 x 73mm

Classic Collection Floral Print Long Skirt, at Mark's & Spencer
Elegant, stylish and comfortable, this long skirt is finished with a floral print. The ideal match for blouses and fine knits in coordinating colours

Stain Defence™ Buckle Detail Pleated Skirt, at Marks & 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. It's non-iron and easycare for convenience

Blossom Jacquard Non-Wired Bra, at Marks n Spencer
Smooth and versatile, this blossom jacquard bra is structured for secure support and an enhanced natural shape. Ideal for everyday wear.

Cotton Rich Printed Motif Joggers, at Mark's & Spencer
Relaxed and comfortable, these casual joggers are made from soft cotton rich fabric and feature a motif. A practical easycare choice

Skinny Bow Belt, at MarksandSpencer
Define your waistline with this fashionable skinny bow belt

Pure Cotton Enchanted Embroidered Towels, at Marks and Spencer
Hand towel: 50 x 90cm Bath towel: 70 x 137cm Bath sheet: 86 x 187cm Enchanted embroidered design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Chunky Face Analogue Watch, at M&S
Chunky face Analogue Round face Date indicator Leather strap

Color Glass Bowls - CHOC BOWL, at Marks&Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Machine Washable Stripe Tie, at Marks and Spencer
No more trips to the drycleaners! This stripe tie is machine washable

Sonoma Dark Extending Table & 6 Chairs Set, at Marks & Spencer
7 piece set Table: H76 x L180 x W100cm (extends to L230cm) Extendable table with centre leaf that can be stored beneath tabletop Seats 6-8 people Chair: H86 x W48 x D54cm Seat: H48cm Leather padded seats Made from solid oak and oak veneer Features natural wood characteristics - knots, figuring, colour variation and end-grain detail Finished with a rich dark stain, followed by 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Chairs made from solid wood Side panels and back panels made from White Oak veneer Top panels made from White Oak veneer with a solid Oak edging for strength Legs made from solid hardwood All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Why use veneers? Unlike solid timber, veneer does not twist/warp/split to the same degree. Only the finest logs are used in veneer production. It is environmentally sound and traditional - much of the finest cabinetry in the world is veneered. Care & Cleaning - Wipe with a soft clean cloth and use a mild furniture cleaner or polish occasionally. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Bring Your Own Whites Mix- Case of 12, at Mark's & Spencer
4 El Tidon Sauvignon Blanc 2008: Packed full of fresh, spicy flavour, this Spanish Sauvignon Blanc offers outstanding value for money. Aromas of citrus fruit and dried herbs are followed up by a dry, tangy palate and a soft-textured finish... 4 Sicilia Bianco 2007: Clean, fresh limey aromas with lively fruit on the palate. A really refreshing, fruit dry wine... 4 Ctes du Rhne Blanc 2008: With its appealing aromas of honeysuckle and baked pears, this soft and gently spicy white is classic Ctes du Rhne at a fantastically affordable price ... You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Per Una Stripe Wide Leg Trousers, at Marks & Spencer
A beautiful pair of straight leg trousers in a linen blend with a double waistband and twin button feature

Abbot Chair in Plain Leather - Poppy, at Marks & Spenser
H78 x W76 x D78cm Seat H43cm, arm H71cm (all dimensions are approximate) Upholstered in poppy leather Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Solid birch feet with a dark finish Free swatch samples: Order up to 6 free swatch samples of any fabric to help you choose your upholstery by calling 0845 603 1 603 Seams and pattern match on fabrics - Please note that the images of fabrics displayed here are overlaid onto models. These images act as a guide and may not be representative of the finished product. Seams and pattern match may differ from what is shown All of our fabrics have a stain resistant finish. Detailed care instructions are included Frame exceeds the British Standards set for heavy domestic use This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Nintendo DS™i Console - White, at Marks & Spencer
Packed with features and thinner than ever: 12% thinner than the Nintendo DS Lite with a bigger, brighter 3.25" screen Two 0.3 megapixel cameras, Nintendo DSi enables you to manipulate the images you capture with 11 photo lenses and face recognition technology Nintendo DSi's enhanced sound system means your music collection sounds great with or without headphones Play with sound:Play music on your DS, experiment, record, create and play with sound using the DSi Sound application, while the ability to record voice samples through the built-in microphone then edit them to your heart's content adds another good reason to keep your Nintendo DSi by your side Take your music on the move with Nintendo DSi. By storing aac formatted music on SD cards Motion-activated gaming on the go: Interact with your games and console on the move like never before, with motion-detecting cameras to help you control future games on the console Access a world of new possibilities with Nintendo DSiWare. Available through the Nintendo DSi Shop, Nintendo DSiWare is downloadable content that includes everything from new themes to customise your Nintendo DSi with to unique games. Basic applications, such as the Nintendo DSi Browser can be downloaded for free, while other content can be purchased from the Nintendo DSi Shop in exchange for Nintendo DSi Points Play, share and enhance your DSi experience WiFi online: Download new games and applications from the DSi Shop from cartoon making to a free internet browser and challenge yourself online with DSi's improved connectivity The system can also play most Nintendo DS games, and will have access to a library of more than 850 titles Each DSi comes complete with: one Nintendo DSi System, two Nintendo DSi styluses, one Nintendo DSi AC power adapter, an easy start guide, manuals (basic and controls) and a support booklet Dimensions: W137 x L74.9 x D18.9mm Weight: Approx. 214g (with stylus) Battery specs: Rechargeable lithium ion battery pack, Minimum brightness setting: 9-14 Hrs, Low brightness setting: 8-12 Hrs, High brightness setting: 4-6 Hrs, Maximum brightness setting: 3-4 Hrs (times may vary depending on software) Charging time: Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes 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

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Check Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
A practical casual shirt in pure cotton featuring a check print. A great value easycare style

Flat Front Crease Resistant Trousers, at Mark's & Spencer
Adopt a fuss-free approach to formal dressing with the crease resistant fabric of these sharp trousers, allowing you to stay looking smarter for longer

Dido - Safe Trip Home CD, at Marks & Spensers
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Laser Cut Fuchsias Daughter-in-Law Birthday Card, at M&S
Cover text: Happy Birthday to a Very Special Daughter-in-law Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 175 x 126mm

Handy Manny Repair Shop Sticker Book, at Marks and Spencers
Can you help Handy Manny and his trusty tools to fix-it right? Join all your favourite characters at Manny's Repair Shop for hours of fun activities - including spot-the-difference, sticker jigsaw puzzles and more! Handy Manny is the perfect guide to simple problem-solving activities

M+S Money Insurance: There are, quite literally, hundreds of companies in the UK from whom you can purchase insurance. Whether you're looking for the best deal on Car Insurance, buildings and contents insurance, or even wedding insurance, it doesn't take long to find a company that will sell you a policy.

However, not all insurance companies, and certainly not all insurance policies, are the same. What may be standard on one insurance policy may be an optional extra on another, for instance; Car Insurance and Buildings Insurance are especially like this.

For example, most home and contents insurance policies either ask you to provide the total cost of rebuilding your home plus the total value of your home contents, or they will set an upper limit. This may seem fine at the time, but, in the event of a claim on your Buildings Insurance policy, the values act as maximum limits, and so you may, in effect, be under-insured and not receive the full value of your insurance claim.

Fortunately, M+S Money Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.