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 Direct. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Home Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Mark & Spensers than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from M&S Money Direct. 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 Direct, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Money Direct 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."

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&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 M&S, through its M&S Money Direct 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 Direct. Not least of these is Marks & Spenser Standard Car Insurance. With M&S Money Direct 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 Direct, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from Marks and Spencers, 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 Finance, you get more, and you pay less.

Faux Crocodile Skin Patent Belt, at Mark's & Spencer
Define your waistline with this fashionable crocodile patent belt

Per Una Spot Print Burnout Jersey Top with Necklace, at Marks and Spencers
A gorgeous spot print top in soft fabric featuring a sparkling necklace

Collezione Pure Cotton Herringbone Stripe Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Italian style is renowned for its attention to detail. Each Collezione piece is designed with that same passion, using the finest fabrics and best tailoring techniques. Inspired by Italian flair, we've lavished time and care on this shirt to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

Autograph Pure Wool Flat Front Fine Stripe Trousers, at Marks & Spensers
Fashionable and contemporary, these fine stripe trousers are part of our exclusive Autograph collection. A great design, superior fabric and careful attention to detail make them exceptionally stylish and comfortable

Traditional Scroll Pencil Pleat Curtains, at Marks & Spencers
Traditional scroll print Pencil pleat Lined Come in standard 168cm/66'' (STD) and wider 219cm/86'' (WDR) widths Also comes in three drop lengths: short (137cm/54''), medium (183cm/72'') and long (229cm/90'') How to measure for window dressings: Click here for a guide to measuring for curtains, pelmets and roman blinds., Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Marble Swirl-Effect Candy Floss Bowl, at Marks and Spencer
Swirl effect Opaque design Round shape Soda glass H5.5 x Diam29cm Weight: 0.95kg, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Essentials Modal Rich Spot Print Shorts, at Marks & Spencers
Fresh and feminine, these stylish shorts feature a mini spot print and are finished with lace detail and a bow feature. The low rise, low leg style gives a shapely figure-flattering fit. Pretty everyday fashion

Portfolio Tencel® Crosshatch Trousers with Linen, at Mark's & Spencer
Part of Portfolio's Set Sail trend. Fresh and breezy, this sophisticated look features classic styling with vibrant accents of summertime pinks and blues. Feminine and coordinated designs for the new season

Bridal Party Outfits Wedding Card, at Marks n Spencer
Cover text: Wedding day Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx. size: 178 x 126 mm

Pure Cotton Cord Stripe Towel, at Marks and Spencer
Cord stripe design Comes in 3 sizes: Hand - 50 x 90cms Bath - 68 x 137cms Bath sheet - 89 x 178cms, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Mixed Bead Long Rope Necklace, at M&S
Long length Mixed beads

Ruched Flower Cushion, at Marks and Spencer
Square shape Floral embroidery Ruched design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Detroit Dining Table & 6 Alton Plain Leather Chairs Set, at Marks and Spencer
7 piece set Table: H75 x W90 x D150cm Chair: H98.5 x W46 x D49cm Table seats 6 Plain leather upholstered chairs Made from White Oak solids and veneers Finished with 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of mid sheen Solid oak legs Table top panel made from oak veneer with a solid oak edging for strength 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 manufacturer's instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Geo Print Top, at Marks & Spensers
This 3/4 sleeve top will make a useful addition to your wardrobe. It features pretty geo print for a stylish casual look

Sweet Bergamot Pot Pourri Bag, at M+S
Sweet bergamot fragrance, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Limited Collection Drape Sleeve Jersey Top, at Marks & Spenser
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel

Cartoon Dog Couple Anniversary Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: Happy Anniversary Inside message: With love Approx size: 175 x 125mm

Classic Collection Short Sleeve Scallop Trim Nightdress, at Marks & Spensers
Fresh and feminine, this nightdress is comfortable to sleep in and features a pretty floral print

Womens' Interest - Magazine Gift Subscription, at M & S
With this gift subscription, the recipient can choose from 1 of 5 great magazines - Top Sante, Closer, Heat, Mother & Baby or Grazia

T397861, at Marks & Spenser
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Cotton Rich Low Rise Plain Shorts, at M&S
Low rise shorts are perfect for wearing with hipster styles and these stylish cotton rich shorts are shapely and modern. Added stretch gives a comfortable, flattering fit

Sony Stamina Plus C Alkaline Batteries- Pack of 2, at Marks n Spencer
Voltage(V): 1.5 Cells per pack: 2 Size: C / LR14 Ideal for high power applications which require intense and durable energy such as portable hifi, toys & audio devices *Must be returned with the tamper seal intact for full refund

Diamanté Square Photo Frame 17 x 13cm (4 x 6"), at Marks & Spenser
Celebrate those special memories in timeless style with this contemporary glittering photo frame

Leopard Print Flexilite Umbrella, at Mark & Spencers
Brighten up rainy days with this stylish lightweight umbrella

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

T397706, at MarksandSpencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

5 Pairs of Short Ribbed School Socks, at Marks and Spencers
A great value set of snug school socks that will stand him in great stead throughout the week. They're easy to care for too

Short Sleeve Deep V-Neck Stripe Cardigan, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and flattering, this cardigan features two front pockets. Stylish, practical and fashionable

5 Newborn Pure Cotton Sleeveless Animal Bodysuits, at Marks & Spencers
Cute and practical, this pack of 5 bodysuits is great value. Popper fastenings makes quick changes easy and the soft cotton fabric will keep him feeling comfy and happy

Wentworth 2-Seater Sofa, at Marks & Spensers
H96 x W146 x D100cm Seat H50cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Other cushions filled with polyester fibre. Gives a soft sit with a lived-in look, which will soften and relax even further with use. Fibre is sewn into channels within the interior to prevent settlement in one area of the cushion Feet are castors Frame made from solid hardwood. All main joints are glued and screwed to give the frame strength Frames are rigorously tested with 95kg weight equivalent and exceed standards set for heavy domestic use All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence™ - a stain resistant finish - at no extra cost. Fabrics are tested for resistance to wear and fading Detailed care instructions are included 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 Free swatch service: Order up to 6 free swatch samples of any fabric to help you choose your upholstery by calling 0845 603 1 603 Please note: Images displayed here act as a guide and may not be representative of the finished item. Fabrics are overlayed onto model images, so actual seams and pattern match may differ from what is shown. Leather furniture, in particular, has more seams than fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

M&S Money Direct 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 Direct 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 n 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 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 Direct UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.