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 & Spenser, 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 Motor 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.

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 Motor 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; Motor 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.

Besides Marks & Spencers Motor 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 Mark's & Spencer 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.

Cross Over Stripe Tankini, at Mark & Spensers
Modern and stylish, this comfortable tankini is sure to make a splash!

3/4 Sleeve Ruched Square Neck Jumper, at Marks & Spenser
Casual and modern, this 3/4 sleeve jumper features a ruched square neckline. Wonderfully warm and cosy

Gone Fishing Keyring, at Marks & Spensers
You'll never lose your keys again with this eye-catching keyring and it's cricket design

Slinky Lace Trim Camisole, at M+S
Stylish and feminine, this lace trim camisole is made from soft touch fabric which feels blissfully comfortable to wear

Nostalgic Photograph 100th Birthday Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: Congratulations... 100... and you've still got a spring in your step! Inside message: Happy Birthday This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Autograph Monroe Bedstead with TV Option, at Marks and Spencer
Headboard H102cm, endboard H96cm, underbed H13cm Double: W144 x L246cm King: W159 x L256cm Super king: W189 x L256cm Upholstered with real leather Mattress sold separately Designed for use with M&S 26'' and 32'' TVs and Sony Bravia 32'' 3000S & 3000D. Maximum TV depth: 115mm. Other makes and models may not attach to the rise/fall mechanism TV and DVD player sold separately Scart leads sold separately (5m lead recommended) TV requires a 3-plug extension lead to connect to fixed plug socket. Extension lead sold separately. (5m lead recommended) TV requires an aerial cable to connect to the aerial socket in the room. Aerial lead sold separately Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Delivered flatpack due to size This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more Access to scart sockets is hindered by the rise/fall mechanism of this bed. M&S recommends that customers have 2 scart leads available for installation by the delivery team in case a DVD player or cable TV box is desired at a later date Customers should consider the position of TV aerial connections and power source in the room, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ultrafit Plain Sports Top, at MarksandSpencer
This innovative Ultra Fit Sport top keeps you dry and fresh. The technology is built in so it will always work as effectively no matter how many times you wash them. Soft fabric with 8-way stretch gives maximum comfort and support. Ideal for sports wear and the gym, comfy enough for relaxed everyday wear

Keep Talking Card Game, at Mark & Spensers
Number of players: 2+ teams, 6+ players Suitable for ages 8+ Pack contains: 90 large game cards, instructions, card holder Approx. card size: 83 x 116mm This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

My Fab Friends Activity Book, at Marks and Spencers
Everyone loves having fun with their friends! With colourful friend-filled activities, this book is perfect for fun-loving girls. Plus, it includes fab hair accessories for her and her friends to enjoy

Silicone Cake Cases, at Mark's & Spencer
Set of 9 Assorted colours Ribbed feature H3 x Diam7cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Sapporo Side Table, at Marks and Spencer
H45 x W45 x D45cm Made from solid bamboo and bamboo veneer Finished with a matt lacquer that provides the pieces with extra protection and durability Legs made from solid wood All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings Delivered flatpack due to size 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

Jazz Café CD, at Marks&Spencer
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Lyon Dinner Plate, at Marks & Spencer
Rib detail Diam 28cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Jacquard Patchwork Curtains, at Marks&Spencer
Pencil pleat Patchwork jacquard design Fully lined Comes in standard 168cm/66'' (STD) and wider 219cm/86'' (WDR) widths Also comes in three drop lengths: short (137cm/54''), medium (183cm/72''), 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

Harry Potter School Uniform Dressing Up Kit, at Marks & Spencers
This Gryffindor school uniform costume is a must-have for fans of Harry Potter

Fun Photographic 50th Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencer
Approx. size: 215 x 150mm Cover text: 50 Like a posh wine, you've grown more mellow with all the years. Or is it grown more mellow with all the posh wine? Inside message: Happy 50th birthday

Dinosaur Zapper, at Marks and Spencer
Suitable for ages 5+ Imaginative play Battery included This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive 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, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Silver Plated Merribel Necklace, at Marks n Spencer
Clasp fastening Diamant detail Length: 41cm Extender: 8cm

Playmobil Patrol Car Toy, at Mark & Spencers
Suitable for ages 4+ Flash light Hinged back seat Includes car, policemen, storage box with accesories This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Silver Plated Tiered Heart Necklace & Earring Set, at Marks & Spencer
2 part set Hoop fastening earrings Clasp fastening necklace with adjustable length Tiered heart design

Fruit Beauty Flower Bath Fizzers Gift Pack, at Marks and Spencers
Contains: wowee plum, zingy lemon, funky orange and shocking raspberry flavours Flower bath fizzers

Pure Cotton Mock Layer Comic Print Top, at Marks and Spencer
Fun and fashionable, this long sleeve top in soft cotton features a comic print. A practical easycare style

Letters on a String New Baby Boy Card, at M+S
Cover text: Baby boy Message: Congratulations! Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Woodhaven Chardonnay 2007 - Case of 12, at Mark's & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Chardonnay Country of origin: USA 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

2 Bali Slat-Back Dining Chairs, at M & S
H103 x W47 x D52cm Seat H47.5cm Seat pads sold separately Sold as a pair This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Extra Wide Open Toe Sports Sandals, at Marks & Spenser
Open toe Rip tape fastening Flat thick sole Contrast stitch Extra wide fit

Pure Cotton Hooded Mock Layer Top, at Marks and Spencers
Ideal for your workout or when you just want to relax, this hooded top is made from pure cotton

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

Stainless Steel Under Sink Storage Unit, at Marks and Spencers
3 tier Shelf H71 x D33 x W58cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Bird Print Flexilite Umbrella, at Marks & Spencer
Brighten up rainy days with this stylish lightweight umbrella

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 Spencer are so useful. M+S Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Marks and 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 Insurance policies. Usually, UK Buildings 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 M+S Money Buildings 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 M+S Money Buildings Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.