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 Marks and Spencer, 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.

Besides Marks & Spencer Motor Insurance, Marks & Spencer Money Credit Cards and other financial products, Marks & Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer 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 & Spencers purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both Marks & Spencer 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.

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

Handcrafted Ralph the Hedgehog Valentine Card, at Marks and Spenser
Cover text: You're... Special lovely wonderful and mine... Inside message: Lucky me! This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: Unfolded: 178 x 127mm

Pacific Side Table, at Marks & Spencer
H48 x W48 x D48cm Handwoven in natural pandan leaves around a solid wooden frame Solid wood feet with glides With toughened glass top This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Silk Floral Embroidered Tie, at Marks and Spencers
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this floral embroidered tie in pure silk

Marble Heart Pendant Necklace, at Mark's & Spencer
Heart pendant Rope style necklace Tie fastening Necklace length 82cm

Cotton Rich Spot Print Bikini Knickers, at Marks & Spensers
Pretty and feminine, these cute spot print bikini briefs sit low on the waist - perfect for wearing under hipsters. They're cut away at the front and sides and cover the bottom for a comfortable and flattering fit

Blue Harbour Crew Neck Fleece Top, at Mark's & Spencer
Relaxed and cosy, this long sleeve crew neck fleece top is outstanding value!

Micro Check Trousers with Wool, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and stylish, these trousers are made from a hardwearing wool blend with stretch. An ideal choice for work or everyday wear

Wentworth 3-Seater Sofa, at Marks & Spensers
H96 x W204 x D100cm Seat H50cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Other cushions filled with polyester fibre. Gives a soft sit with a lived-in look, which will soften and relax even further with use. Fibre is sewn into channels within the interior to prevent settlement in one area of the cushion Feet are castors Frame made from solid hardwood. All main joints are glued and screwed to give the frame strength Frames are rigorously tested with 95kg weight equivalent and exceed standards set for heavy domestic use All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence™ - a stain resistant finish - at no extra cost. Fabrics are tested for resistance to wear and fading Detailed care instructions are included 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 Free swatch service: Order up to 6 free swatch samples of any fabric to help you choose your upholstery by calling 0845 603 1 603 Please note: Images displayed here act as a guide and may not be representative of the finished item. Fabrics are overlayed onto model images, so actual seams and pattern match may differ from what is shown. Leather furniture, in particular, has more seams than fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Satin Spot Print Shirt with Belt, at Marks&Spencer
This fab short sleeve shirt features a stunning spot and empire line design. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season

Big & Tall Ultimate Pure Wool 2 Button Plain Jacket, at M&S
Specially proportioned for big and tall men, this single breasted suit is designed to give a flattering, comfortable fit

Classic Collection Floral Print Nightdress, at Marks & Spensers
Fresh and feminine, this nightdress is made from a soft cotton blend so it feels comfortable to sleep in. The floral print adds a pretty touch

Autograph Square Porcelain Toilet Brush, at MarksandSpencer
H21 x W10 x D10cm Chrome handle Stripe design at the base Modern square design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Pure Cotton Lace Embellished Top, at Marks and Spencers
A fashionable 3/4 sleeve top in pure soft cotton featuring lace front embellishment and floral design

Garden and Doves Confirmation Card, at Marks & Spencer
Cover Text: On your Confirmation may this very special day be blessed with hop and joy Inside Message: Blank for your own message Approx Size: 150 mm x 150 mm

Georgian Antique-Brass Headboard, at Mark & Spensers
Headboard H84cm Single: W94cm Double: W142cm King size (5ft): W155cm Super king size (6ft): W185cm Antique-brass effect Delivered boxed to your door. No assembly required but you will need to unpack and position the item yourself This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Square Buckle Leather Belt, at M+S
With a versatile design perfectly suited for special occasions and everyday office wear, this sleek belt is sure to become a staple part of your formal wardrobe

Travel Floral Jewellery Roll, at Marks and Spencer
Floral design Bow feature Riptape and zip fastening Multiple pockets

Pink Butterfly Large Gift Bag, at Mark & Spensers
Pack Contains: 1 gift bag Approx Size: H: 420 mm, W: 300 mm, D: 100 mm

Collezione Wool Rich Flat Front Plain Trousers, at M&S
Italian tailoring is renowned for its sophisticated style. Each collezione suit is designed with that same passion, using the finest fabrics and best tailoring techniques. Inspired by Italian flair, we've lavished time and care on this garment to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

Seville Antique Brass Double Towel Rail, at Mark & Spencers
Double rail Wall mounted H13.7 x W51.58 x D18.17cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

School Riptape Plimsolls, at Marks & Spencer
Made with breathable cotton, these plimsolls are a practical choice for PE or play. Riptape fastening gives a good fit and makes it easy to put them on quickly

3 Pure Cotton Assorted Sleepsuits, at Marks and Spenser
Comfortable, practical and fashionable, this pack of 3 sleepsuits is made from soft breathable cotton

Top Gear Sticker Activity Book, at Marks & Spencer
Have fun completing this colourful, action-packed sticker book with more than 40 stickers

Blue Energy Mini Eau de Toilette, at Marks and Spencers
30ml This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Lightweight Dressing Gown, at Marks & Spenser
Soft and comfortable, this cotton blend dressing gown makes the perfect lightweight cover up

2 Pure Cotton Camouflage Shorts, at Marks&Spencer
Fashionably smart-casual, these pure cotton knee length shorts feature military designs. A practical, easycare style

Chunky Wave Ring, at Marks & Spencer
Plain Chunky design Wave detail

Pure Cotton V-Neck Cardigan, at Marks and Spenser
A practical choice for school, this soft pure cotton cardigan is easycare for convenience

Airflex™ Gibson Shoes, at Marks&Spencer
Square toe Lace up Stitch detail Block heel Unique airflex™ airflow system for unbeatable comfort

Sprung-Edge Suede Divan with 2 Large + 2 Small Drawers & M400 Mattress - Medium, at Marks & Spencer
Double mattress (4ft 6in): W135 x L190 cm King size mattress (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super king size mattress (6ft): W180 x L200cm Single divan (3ft): W90 x L190cm Double divan (4ft 6in): W135 x L190cm King size divan (5ft): W150 x L200cm Super king size divan (6ft): W180 x L200cm Mattress depth: 24cm Divan height: 41cm Large drawer: H14 x W78 x D52cm Small drawer: H14 x W40 x D52cm Mattress filling made from resilient foam and polyester fibre Further filling layers of cotton and lambs wool keeps you warm in summer and cool in winter Two rows of hand side-stitching give the mattress edge-to-edge support. This allows you full use of the sleeping surface Individually pocketed springs Pocket sprung mattresses give a flexible feel Mattress spring count: 1054 Can be used with any mattress All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected Mattress does not require turning All mattresses and divans are 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

Shopping for financial products at Marks & Spencer Money UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks and Spencers online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the Marks & Spencer Money website:

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

And, just as importantly, contacting Marks & Spencer Money in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the Marks & Spencer Money website.