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 Mark & 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 Direct 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 Money Direct Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Money Direct 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 Direct 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 MarksandSpencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Money Direct 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 and Spenser are so useful. M&S Money Direct 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 & 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 Money Direct 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 Money Direct Buildings & Contents Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Gathered Front Cover Up Beach Dress, at M+S
Fabulously fashionable, this flattering cover up dress is designed in the latest shape. A stylish modern look

Base & Top Coat Nail Polish, at Marks & Spensers
2 x 11ml Protects your nails from staining Prolonged wear for your nail colour Lasting and brilliant shine Protection against chips

Small Elephant Soft Toy, at Marks & Spenser
Suitable for ages 0-3yrs This product conforms to the EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Patent Low Heel Elastic Strap Shoes, at Mark's & Spencer
Round toe Wide elastic strap Low heel Patent effect Heel height: 38mm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Traditional Tea Design Wall Clock, at Marks and Spencers
Traditional design Round face Domed metal case Weight: 0.95kgs Diam: 35cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Handcrafted Photographic Anthony Bear Valentine Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: Be my Valentine Inside message: Guess who? This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: Unfolded: 230 x 114 mm

Collezione Italian Pure Silk Cougar Check Tie, at Marks & Spenser
Stylish and luxurious, this pure silk tie is part of Collezione, a sophisticated menswear collection inspired by Italian tailoring

Chateau Darzac Reserve 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spenser
Grape variety: 35% Sauvignon, 40% Smillon, 25% Muscadelle Country of origin: France Closure: Synthetic closure Suitable for vegetarians and vegans 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

Spa List, at Marks and Spenser
There are some wonderful places for spa out there, if you know where to find them. It's fine to have high expectations - so long as the experience lives up to them. Spa list guides you around the UK's most stylish spa hotels with the best pampering facilities

Simi the Kitten & Butterflies Birthday Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Special Birthday Wishes! Inside message: Have a wonderful day! This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 215 x 150mm

Taper Dinner Candle Holder, at Marks & Spencer
Tapered design Dimensions: H22cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

3 Water Hyacinth Round Storage Baskets, at Marks & Spencer
Set of 3 Double contrast handles Woven design Large basket: H35 x 42cm diam Medium basket: H32 x 37cm diam Small basket: H28 x 32cm diam, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

7 Pairs of Freshfeet Mixed Stripe Socks with Silver Technology, at Marks and Spencer
Our odour control Freshfeet socks are now better than ever with a new Sanitised Silver finish. Known for its natural antibacterial properties, silver helps reduce the presence of bacteria that causes smelly odours, so your feet stay fresh with every step and it keeps working for the lifetime of the socks

Regal Twist Silver Necklace, at Mark's & Spencer
Twisted strands Clasp fastening Length: 46cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Cymru Rugby Top, at Marks and Spencer
A fashionable smart-casual look, this comfortable cotton rugby shirt features block stripes and an embroidered Cymru motif. Stylish, practical and easycare

Flat Compact Umbrella, at Marks and Spencers
Smart and easy to carry, the practical design of this handy umbrella is the perfect solution for dealing with sudden downpours

Chianti Classico 2006 - Case of 6, at Marks & Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Sangiovese Country of origin: Italy Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 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

Painterly Floral Mum 70th Birthday Card, at M&S
Cover text: Happy 70th Birthday Mum, Life's a little happier, A little sweeter, too, A little more delightful, All because of you! Inside message: Have a lovely day This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 230 x 114mm

Per Una Supersoft Scotty Dog Mule Slippers, at M&S
Mule style Round toe Flat sole Scotty dog embellishments Contrast lining

Die Cut Tiny Fairies and Stars Birthday Card, at Mark & Spensers
Cover text: To Someone very special Inside message: With lots of love x Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Autograph Cross Strap Riding Boots, at Marks & Spencers
Round toe Cross strap buckle fastening Front seam Stitch detail Knee high Block heel

Autograph Daisy Print Tie, at Marks and Spenser
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

Limited Collection Leopard Print Cardigan, at M+S
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel

Portfolio Pure Silk 3/4 Sleeve Star Burst Blouse, at Mark's & Spencer
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

5 Pairs of Long Butterfly Socks, at M&S
With added stretch ensuring they stay up all day long, these cotton rich knee high socks are a perfect option for the coming school year

Hermits Hill Botrytis Semillon 2005 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spenser
Style: Sweet Grape variety: Semillon Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 37.5cl. Alcohol by volume: 12% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 4.5 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

M&S 'Perfect A Putt' Putting Aid, at Marks and Spencers
Improve you ability to putt with this putting aid, aim towards the target as you would with a real hole and if the pace and direction of the putt is correct, the ball will push through the trapping system and will be retained. This is a great way to improve your putting technique when ever you have some time to spare

Autograph Leather Shopper Bag, at Marks and Spencers
Stylish and practical, this shopper bag is made from luxurious hardwearing leather and features useful zipped pockets. A useful and fashionable accessory

Triple Layer Victoria Sandwich, at Marks and Spenser
14 pre-cut slices Serves 14 Ready to eat 2.1kg 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

125 Years Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Check Shirt, at Mark & Spencers
Part of the Commemorative Collection, celebrating 125 years of M&S. Featuring smart styles inspired by our archives

M&S Money Direct 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 Money Direct Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.