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 & 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 Marks and Spenser, 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 Motor 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.

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 Marks and Spencers are so useful. Marks & Spencer Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Mark & Spencers 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.

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 Marks & Spencer Money. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Buildings & Contents Insurance and Motor Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks & Spencer than you might imagine.

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

Black & Decker® PV9605N Dustbuster, at M+S
9.6V for powerful and effective pick-up 700ml dustbowl capacity 12 minutes runtime 20 airwatts Pivoting nose for cleaning hard to reach areas 10 setting pivoting nose Cyclonic Action spins dirt away from the filter maintaining optimum suction power Filter cleaning wheel Cordless for use anywhere 2 stage filtration - allows the product to perform better and last longer Built-in crevice tool and hard brush Multi-surface charging base - can be wall mounted or kept on the worktop Accessories are stored on board Window bowl so you know when to empty the Dustbuster Ergonomic design

Blue Harbour Stretch Denim Jeans, at Marks & Spencer
Relaxed and casual, these plain jeans are made with stretch for comfort and ease of movement

Cape Flora Bouquet, at Marks&Spencer
Internet Exclusive This bouquet is arranged from wild foliage and seasonal flowers sustainably harvested from Flower Valley in the Agulhas region of South Africa. The Cape floral kingdom is the smallest plant kingdom in the world but contains the highest known concentration of plant species - more than 9,000 plant species make up the region, 6,000 of which are found nowhere else on Earth Available for delivery from 8th May to 30th September 2009

Vriesenhof Kallista 2003 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Medium Bodied Grape variety: 35% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.5 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.8 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Baking Bible, at Marks and Spenser
Rejuvenate the art of baking with this useful book, create delicious home baked food for your family to enjoy

Beaded Round Tablemat, at Mark & Spencers
Round shape Beaded design Diameter: 32 cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Henley Neck Stripe Top, at Mark's & Spencer
Soft and comfortable, this cotton pyjama top can be worn with a number of our pyjama bottoms and shorts to create your own style

8-Piece Aurora Fish Knife & Fork Set, at Marks&Spencer
Includes 4 knives and 4 forks 18/10 stainless steel - the highest grade of stainless steel Criminal Justice Act 1988 (as amended): please note we are not permitted to sell a knife or blade to any person under the age of 18 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Thermal Vest, at Marks & Spencer
Keep cosy in this soft thermal vest made from breathable cotton for improved comfort. Warm without being bulky, it makes the perfect extra layer for cold weather

Large Hand Finished Valentine Gift Bag, at Marks & Spenser
Contains: 1 gift bag with tag H270 x W360 x D100mm

The Mini Brain Games Puzzler, at Marks and Spencers
Take the challenge of the Mini Brain games puzzler for a total cerebral workout. This tiny book is full of a wide range of brain training puzzles so you can reap the rewards of an exercised and mentally agile mind !

Glass Globe Pendant Ceiling Light, at Marks and Spencer
Nickel plated steel Glass globe Diam25cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

F400 Pocket Memory Foam Mattress with Coolmax°, at Marks and Spencers
Single (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King Size (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super King Size (6ft): W180 x L200cm Mattress depth: 25cm Spring count: 1225 Individually pocketed springs Layer of resilient foam and memory foam and also polyester fibre Foam layers encourage air circulation Two rows of hand side-stitching give edge-to-edge support Quality Belgian fabric for added durability Coolmax stretch knit cover helps regulate body temperature and adds a soft feel Memory foam moulds to the shape of your body once warmed by body heat providing high levels of support Anti-allergy protected for the life of the mattress Does not require turning 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

Mini Front Pocket Cross Body Bag, at Marks & Spensers
Both understated and useful, this cross body bag has lots of pockets to securely hold your must-have essentials

Mandorla Shiraz 2006 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spensers
Style: Medium bodied Grape variety: Shiraz Country of origin: Italy Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.1 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.7 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Per Una Palm Leaf Skirt, at Marks & Spenser
A beautiful knee length skirt featuring a palm leaf print and flared hem

Long Glacier Bead Necklace, at MarksandSpencer
Adjustable length Clasp fastening Mixed beads Long length

Per Una Long Sleeve Knitted Top with Necklace, at Mark & Spensers
A relaxed long sleeve knitted top featuring a v-neck. Delicate necklace gives it the Per Una touch

New Pad Frog Change of Address Pack of Ten Cards, at Mark's & Spencer
Cover text: New Pad Pack contains: 10 cards Dimensions: 130 x 130mm

Scottish Lochmuir™ Lightly Smoked Salmon, Smoked Haddock & Cod Roast, at Mark's & Spencer
Serves 4-6 Ready to cook Suitable for freezing 1kg total weight As featured on page 38 of the Food to Order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Hall Cascade Droplet Ceiling Light, at Marks & Spensers
Glass dropper pendant Metal frame H39 x Diam 21cm 60W GLS or 11W CFL, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Essentials Vintage Rose Embroidered Thong, at Marks and Spenser
Elegant and feminine this modern thong features rose embroidered details. The modern, high leg styling gives a flattering shapely fit. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

Body Solutions Control Full Slip, at Marks & Spencers
Designed to enhance the look of your dresses, this slip gives a smooth silhouette and features moulded cups and multiway straps so it can be worn conventionally, halterneck, strapless or one shoulder

Mirrored Collection 6-Drawer Chest, at M&S
H81 x W121 x D51cm 6 drawers Mirrored finish with clear knobs 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Traidcraft Blue Mobile Baby Boy Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: Blank Inside message: blank for your own message Approx size: 138 x 138mm

Ham & Mushroom Pizza, at Marks and Spencer
Serves 4-6 Ready to cook Suitable for freezing 610g As featured on page 40 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Easy Iron Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Plain Shirt, at MarksandSpencer
Made for your added convenience, this pure cotton shirt is a smart step in the right direction, thanks to a handsome design and double button cuffs

M&S Luxury Stripe Panama Hat, at M&S
A luxury straw panama hat, it is the perfect addition to any man's summer wardrobe, perfect for any occasion this beautifully woven summer hat has the classic diamond crown with pinch front and is accented by a contrast stripe band trim

Ingredients Shea Nut Bath Cream, at Marks & Spencer
Moisturising 500ml

Knee Length Crepe Skater Skirt, at Marks & Spencers
Fashionable and contemporary, this panelled skater skirt is a stylish, versatile choice. A great work-to-evening style

Marks and Spencers may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Buildings & Contents Insurance or Motor Insurance, but Marks & Spencers 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, Motor 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 Marks & Spencer insurance products in document format too.