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 & Spencer, 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 & Contents Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

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

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

Marks and Spenser 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 and Spencer 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 M+S 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 M+S Money loans, credit cards or Buildings & Contents Insurance - besides a number of other insurance products, M+S Money can save you both time and money, with comprehensive information available at a click.

Free insurance quotes are available online for all of M+S 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 M & S insurance products in document format too.

Pure Linen High Waist Belted Trousers, at Marks & Spencer
Designed to give a shapely silhouette, these on-the-waist bootcuts are feminine and flattering. The belt feature adds a stylish finishing touch

Multi Stripe Halterneck Bikini Top, at Marks & Spencers
Pretty and feminine, this multi stripe bikini top is outstanding value. Style and quality at a great price

Daughter Sequin Shoes Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: Birthday Wishes to a Wonderful Daughter Inside message: With lots of love on your birthday Approx size: 175 x 125mm This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future

Fruity Beauty Bath Sugar Gift Set, at Marks and Spenser
6 bottle set Contains: wowee plum, zingy lemon, funky orange, shocking raspberry, luscious lemon, supercool berry Bath sugars

Wooden Alphabet Blocks, at Marks&Spencer
Suitable for ages 1-3 years 50 pieces This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Portfolio Bobble Stretch Bracelet, at Marks & Spenser
Stretch style Bobble design

Wine Gift Card, at Marks & Spencers
Credit card-sized Gift Card with presentation greetings card Can be redeemed in any of our UK stores and online Gift Cards can be topped up in stores to the maximum value of 500 Gift Cards are valid for 24 months after last use Frequently asked questions Click here to view frequently asked questions about our Gift Cards Click here for full Gift Card terms and conditions This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Mirror Squares Photo Frame 13 x 18cm (5 x 7"), at Marks and Spenser
Rectangular frame Mirror square design Aperture: 13 x 18cm (5 x 7"), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Older Boys' Double Lace Up Canvas Trainers, at Marks & Spensers
Round toe Double lace up feature Canvas design Flat sole

Fishing Penguin Dad Birthday Card, at Mark & Spensers
Cover text: Dad, Relax, chill out and... ...Enjoy your birthday! Inside message: Have a really cool day Approx size: 215 x 150mm

Pure Cotton Stripe Mock Layer Jersey Top, at Marks & Spencer
Smart and stylish, this mock layer top is made from cool comfortable cotton and features a ruffle front detail and stripe print

Autograph Pure Cotton Animal Border Pillowcase, at Marks and Spenser
Co-ordinate with satin stitch white plain dye sheets and pillowcases strokes T356490F,T356490S,T356940P Embroidered detail, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Florentyna Eau De Toilette 100ml, at Marks & Spencer
100ml This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Per Una Ostrich Print Clutch Bag, at Marks and Spenser
An ostrich print makes this fashionable purse even more special. A practical and stylish accessory with the Per Una twist

GarminŽ 3.5'' Sat Nav Case, at Marks and Spencer
Keep your Garmin sat nav protected from knocks and scratches with this stylish case

Purdy Sunglasses, at Marks & Spenser
These elegantly understated sunglasses will never go out of style. A fabulously versatile summer essential

Lightweight Scattered Squares Scarf, at M & S
This sophisticated scattered square scarf is the perfect accessory to this season's fashions

Winnie The Pooh Family Organiser Calendar, at Marks and Spencer
Contains: 1 pen and memo pad Approx. size: 330 x 430mm Disney. Based on the "Winnie the Pooh" works by A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard. www.disney.com

Collezione Stormwear™ Double Collar Raincoat, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and contemporary, this double collar raincoat is inspired by Italian tailoring. It's treated with Stormwear™ technology, a breathable finish that repels water and stains

M&S 50 Laminator Pouches, at Marks and Spencer
Pack of 50 A4 size Clear laminator pouch quality ensures true to original colour reproduction Can be used for photo documents 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

Bereche Brut Reserve Champagne - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Grape variety: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier Country of origin: France Closure: Natural cork Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.5 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Limited Collection Butterfly Rope Necklace, at Mark's & Spencer
Butterfly design charms Adjustable length Clasp fastening Length: 96cm, extendable by 8cm

Saint Bris Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc Country of origin: France Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.5 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Silver Plated Twisted Leaf Cluster Necklace, at MarksandSpencer
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Twisted leaf cluster Length: 41cm Extender: 8cm

Stainless Steel Tongs, at Marks and Spencer
Tong ends with holes Stainless steel design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Crinkle Coin Purse, at Marks & Spencer
Flash your cash in style! Fashionable and functional, this coin purse features a crinkled faux leather texture

Cotton Rich Contrast Stitch Bootleg Jeans, at Marks and Spencers
Flattering and fabulous, bootcuts make legs look longer and are kind to curves. This pair sits on the waist and is designed to give a shapely feminine silhouette. Added stretch gives the perfect fit

Pure Cotton Hooded Top & T-Shirt Set, at Marks & Spencers
This fashionable layered look is a 2 piece set - a t-shirt and hooded top, both in soft comfortable cotton. Stylish, practical and easycare

Gold Label Pinot Noir 2007 - Case of 12, at Mark & Spencers
Style: Medium bodied Grape variety: Pinot Noir Country of origin: France Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 12.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.4 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.6 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Floral Earrings Set, at M&S
3 part set Butterfly fastening floral earrings Stud earrings Hook fastening, drop style earrings

M+S Money offers a variety of financial and insurance products, but Motor Insurance is something that almost everyone needs - at least if you own a car. Unfortunately there are so many companies offering Motor Insurance today that, after a while, one policy may begin to look much like the next.

Thinking that most Motor 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 Motor Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Motor Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M+S Money Motor Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Motor 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 & Spencers 5 Star Premier cover Motor Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Motor 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 Motor 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 UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.