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 and 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 Finance website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Car 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 Car Insurance, M&S Finance Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Finance 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 Finance 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 Spenser purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Finance 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.

M&S Finance 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 Car 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; Car Insurance and Buildings & Contents 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 & Contents 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 Finance Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

Santiago Side Table, at Marks and Spencer
H56 x W50 x D50cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Long Sleeve Stormwear™ Ruffle Coat, at Marks n Spencer
Fashionable and practical, this cosy coat is warmly padded and lined with fleece. It's treated with our unique Stormwear™ technology which repels water and stains. Storm cuffs help keep arms warm and hold on gloves

Block Stripe Swimsuit, at Marks & Spencers
Modern and shapely, this flattering swimsuit is designed in the latest shape. A fabulous fashionable look

Per Una Multi Strand Acid Slice Pendant Necklace, at Marks & Spencer
Acid slice round pendant Mixed bead design Multi strand Length: 50cm

Girls' Limited Cotton Blend Tregging Trousers with Belt, at Marks & Spencer
Modern and stylish, these easycare cotton blend tregging trousers make a fashionable and practical choice

Reggiano Rosso Single Estate 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Light bodied Grape variety: Lambrusco Country of origin: Italy Closure: Synthetic closure 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

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Crochet Cardigan, at MarksandSpencer
A beautiful crochet cardigan in pure cotton, the scallop neck and single hook fastening give it the Per Una touch

Coronation Street Happy Families Card Game, at Mark & Spencers
Number of players: 3+ Suitable for ages 8+ Pack contains: 52 cards, instruction card Approx. card size: 77 x 107mm This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

3 Piece Pure Cotton Newborn Toucan Outfit, at Marks & Spencers
Fashionable and practical, this cute 3 piece outfit features an embroidered toucan design. It's made from soft cotton to keep her comfortable and happy

3 Pure Cotton Assorted Heart Print Sleepsuits, at Marks & Spencers
Soft and snuggly, this practical pack of sleepsuits is great value! The cotton fabric is comfy to sleep in and popper fastenings make quick changes easy

Gold Plated Sparkle Hoop Necklace & Earring Set, at Marks and Spenser
Butterfly stud fastening earrings Clasp fastening necklace with adjustable length Hoop and sparkle design

Coloured Glass Collection - Shallow Bowl, at Mark & Spencers
H9 x Diam 20.5cm Coloured glass, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Disney Winnie the Pooh Wrap Pack, at Marks & Spenser
2 sheets, 2 tags Each sheet: 495 x 695mm Tags: 80 x 55mm (folded) Disney

Pure Cotton Sequin Heart Belt Cargo Trousers, at Marks&Spencer
Comes with belt shown in image Fresh and fashionable, these pure cotton below-the-knee trousers look chic with wedges, sandals or flat pumps. Cargo style side pockets add an extra touch of style

Perfect Autograph Weekend Satin Honeycomb Print Pyjama Bottoms, at Marks & Spencer
Loungewear goes glamorous with these gorgeous pieces in slinky satin and soft modal. Who needs to get dressed, anyway ?

Paua Shell Pear Necklace and Earring Set, at Marks and Spencers
2 piece set Pear shaped polished shell earrings Multi pear shaped polished shell pendants

Portfolio Cotton Rich Pleated Formal Shirt, at M+S
Part of Portfolio's Shades of Paradise trend, featuring the earthy tones of nature combined with rich, tropical highlights. Elegant and feminine styling makes this a chic summer look

'Happy Birthday!' Gift Bag with Balloon, at M & S
Send birthday wishes with lovely pink, yellow and blue blooms in an elegant cream gift bag. The mini 'Happy Birthday' balloon makes it that bit extra special Available for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

M&S 1.5m HDMI Cable, at Mark & Spensers
1.5 metre cable Connects HDMI to HDMI 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Short Sleeve Spot Print Ruffle Top, at Marks & Spenser
This fab short sleeve spot print top features a stunning ruffle detail. A pretty new look, perfect for this season

Set of 3 Photo Frames 20 x 25cm (8 x 10''), at Marks and Spencer
Set of 3 Aperature: 20 x 25cm (8 x 10in), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Perfect Blue Harbour Haritage Pure Cotton Stripe Shirt, at Marks & Spenser
These heritage inspired shirts are a wardrobe staple. The contrasting trims and button-down collar create a stylish, authentic look that's great for any occasion

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Block Stripe Jumper, at MarksandSpencer
Relaxed and casual, this long sleeved jumper is made from comfortable pure cotton and features a block stripe design. A practical easycare style

Sleeveless Longline Knitted Waistcoat, at Marks & Spencers
Elegant and stylish, this sleeveless waistcoat is made with cool comfortable cotton and features a tie waist feature for a fashionable look

Wooden Body Hair Brush, at Marks & Spensers
Wooden handle Rounded pins Square brush FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests FSC Trademark FSC Forest Stewardship Council, A.C. All rights reserved

Stain Defence™ & Stormwear™ Straight Leg Trousers with Belt, at Marks & Spencers
Comfortable and hardwearing, these stylish wool blend trousers are treated with Stain Defence™ and Stormwear™. These high performance finishes help resist stains and water. Zipped pockets keep lunch money safe and an adjustable waist gives a perfectly comfortable fit for longer

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

Formula Age Restruction™ Serum + Calcium Complex, at MarksandSpencer
Luxuriously rich serum for the 60+ complexion Wheat biovector to relax and redensify deep wrinkles to improve the appearance of wrinkles Calcium complex to firm and improve the structure of sagging skin Collageneer a lupin extract to strengthen and improve skin elasticity Hypoallergenic - suitable for all skin types 30ml

2 Cool & Fresh Cotton Rich Sleeveless Vests, at Marks & Spencer
Comfortable, fashionable and practical, these essential vests are ideal for everyday wear

Dualit Vario 2-Slice Toaster - Cream, at M+S
1200 watt 2-slice toaster Manually operated eject lever - keeps items warm until needed Selector switch - use only the slots required Adjustable inner wire guard to grip toast Parts are Replaceable/ repairable Mechanical timer to control toasting High lift mechanism to remove small items easily Extra wide 28mm slots to accommodate larger items and the optional sandwich cage Concealed crumb tray Adjustable rear foot Easy to clean stainless steel cover Weight: 3.5kg Designed for use in commercial kitchens Dimensions: H22 x W31 x D21cm 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

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