There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Financial Services. Not least of these is Marks and Spencer Standard Car Insurance. With M&S Financial Services 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 Financial Services, 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 Marks & Spencer Money, you get more, and you pay less.

M&S Financial Services 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 Financial Services 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 & 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, Sainsbury's, 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 Financial Services UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

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 & Spenser 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 Financial Services 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.

Older Girls' Sequin Shoes, at Marks and Spencer
Round toe Sequin design Single riptape strap Flat sole

Autograph Le Baron® Lilies, at Mark's & Spencer
Especially chosen for their beautiful and impressive flowers, this stunning bouquet of Le Baron lilies is from our new luxury Autograph flowers collection. Long-lasting flowers and a beautiful scent make these lilies an impressive display and a stunning gift All Autograph bouquets are beautifully presented, wrapped by hand and finished with Autograph branded cellophane & a black organza ribbon Available for delivery from 23rd October to 25th November 2008

Thermal Performance Active Long Sleeve Top, at Marks and Spencer
Innovative and high-performance, this top is made with moisture control and anti-odour technology. They're designed to keep you at a comfortable temperature so you feel warm, fresh and dry

Long Sleeve Embroidered Bib Top, at Mark & Spencers
This Nehru collar top makes a perfect way of getting the smart casual look this season. It has a bib detail and scallop trim for an extra touch of stylish chic

4 Sennen Mugs - Blue, at Mark & Spensers
4 piece set Contrast design H11 x Diam 9cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Younger Girls' Pure Cotton Little Miss Hooded Poncho, at Mark's & Spencer
Fans of Mr Men & Little Miss will love this hooded cotton poncho featuring the popular character. A practical, easycare style

Per Una Styled Embroidered Padded Bra, at Marks and Spencers
Elegant and feminine, this bra is beautifully embellished with delicate embroidery. Soft padding and underwiring give support and an enhanced natural shape. Pretty everyday fashion

SPF 25 Hair and Scalp Protection Spray, at Marks and Spencers
Five Star Ultra UVA Protection Water resistant Anti-skin aging Australian formula 150ml This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Spot Print Satin Chemise, at Marks and Spenser
Feminine and elegant, this sleek satin nightdress feels comfortable and gives a flattering fit. A gorgeous, glamorous look

Non Iron Short Sleeve Check Shirt, at M&S
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

Gladiator Sandals, at Marks & Spenser
Buckle fastening Contrast stitching Flat sole

Ultimate Non-Iron Pure Cotton Rib Stripe Shirt, at Mark & Spencers
An innovative shirt in pure cotton. A special fabric finish and clever construction mean there is no need to iron this smart easycare shirt

3 Pure Cotton Stripe Tea Towels, at M & S
Pack of 3 Plain edge Assorted designs, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Older Boys' Transformers Mule Slippers, at Marks & Spencers
Round toe Slip on Transformers motif Mule design 2007 Hasbro

Machine Washable Circle Pattern Tie, at Marks & Spencers
No more trips to the drycleaners! This smart circle pattern tie is machine washable

5 °Climate Control Cotton Rich Briefs, at Mark & Spensers
Climate control fabric absorbs and stores body heat when you're too hot and releases the heat when you're too cold. The result is the perfect body temperature so you'll feel comfortable all day. The Outlast technology behind this innovative fabric was originally developed for astronauts and is recognised by NASA as Certified Space Technology

Triple Layer Cappuccino Cake, at Marks & Spenser
14 pre-cut slices Serves 14 Ready to eat 1.9kg Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers Suitable for vegetarians Comes in a box suitable for storing the cake before serving As featured on page 52 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

Pure Cotton Crochet Trim Vest Top, at Marks and Spencers
A crochet trim design makes this soft cotton vest top fabulously fashionable

Formula Calming Toner, at Marks & Spencers
With chamomile and aloe vera Especially formulated for sensitive skins Suitable for all skin types Gently tones without any harsh additives Alcohol free Fragrance free Hypoallergenic 200 ml

2 Easycare Short Sleeve Shirts, at MarksandSpencer
Combining great value with convenience, these short sleeve shirts make an excellent wardrobe staple

North Coast Pure Cotton Shadow Check Shirt, at Marks & Spencers
Relaxed and stylish, this shadow check shirt is made from pure cotton so it feels soft and comfortable to wear

Per Una Chiffon Neckline Knitted Top with Angora, at Marks and Spencer
An elegant 3/4 sleeve top with fluffy angora featuring chiffon neckline panel

Adjustable Task Collection - Table Lamp with Green Shade, at Marks & Spencer
Antique-effect brass finish Adjustable height Conical shade, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Extra High Impact Non-Wired Sports Bra, at Marks and Spencers
As worn by GB Olympic pentathletes. Comfortable and secure, this maximum impact sports bra gives firm, gentle support for active wear. Its breathable fabric includes engineered sections to eliminate bounce while the racer back shape allows for maximum movement and padded non-slip straps ensure it's a comfortable fit

Geoff Merrill Three Virgos Shiraz 2005 - Case of 6, at M+S
Style: Full bodied Country of origin: Australia Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.9 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Pure Cotton Floral Print Knee Length Skirt, at Marks & Spencer
Cute and sassy, this cotton skirt features a floral print. A fabulous fashionable look

North Coast Pure Cotton Military Jacket, at Marks&Spencer
A contemporary design makes this jacket a fashionable choice

Ingredients Cocoa Bean Body Butter, at Marks & Spensers
Cocoa bean scented 200ml Not tested on animals Pot dimensions: H5.5 x Diam10cm

Daisy Pearl Four-Tier Cake, at Marks & Spencers
150 portions Four tier set of four cakes: Small - diam 9.5cm, Medium - diam 15cm, Large - diam 20cm, Extra large - 25cm, Sponge cake: All-butter sponge filled with buttercream. Can be eaten up to 5 days after collection Chocolate cake: Rich chocolate cake filled with chocolate ganache. Can be eaten up to 5 days after collection Total height (including board): 35.5cm Total weight: 5.9kg Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers Suitable for vegetarians Comes in a box suitable for storing the cake before serving As featured on page 58 of the Food to Order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 21 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

LED Light Collection Butterfly Mobile, at Mark's & Spencer
Hanging wire Circular design 6 hanging butterflies, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Shopping for financial products at M&S Financial Services UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks & Spenser online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the M&S Financial Services website:

• M&S Insurance: M&S Car Insurance, M&S Home 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 & Spencers, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

And, just as importantly, contacting M&S Financial Services in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the M&S Financial Services website.