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's & 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&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 Car Insurance, M&S Home Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

When you're shopping at Marks and Spencers online store for your summer outfit, or looking for furniture to give your home a makeover, then spend a moment to also consider products from M&S Money. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Home Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at Marks & Spensers than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from M&S Money. With images of volcano ash still fresh in many traveller's minds, it's good to remember there were many travellers who ended up wishing they had spent just a few pounds extra to obtain travel insurance for their trip. Of course, unfortunately, after the event is too late!

In fact, had you purchased travel insurance from M&S Money, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Money website would have seen a message stating that although claims relating to volcanic eruptions are not normally covered by travel insurance, that on this particular occasion, they would "allow claims from UK customers affected by the volcanic ash that has recently grounded flights."

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 Mark & Spencers 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, Home Insurance policies. Usually, UK Home 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 Home 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 Home Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

2 Easycare Long Sleeve Microstripe Shirts, at Marks & Spensers
Smart and stylish, this pack of 2 microstripe easycare shirts is great value. An ideal choice for everyday wear

Portfolio Pure Linen Pleated Blouse, at M & S
Part of Portfolio's C'est Chic trend, featuring a cosmopolitan palette of black, off white and neutral, this is a feminine and elegant look for the new season

Per Una Pure Cotton Pleated Denim Skirt, at Marks & Spencers
An elegant knee-length denim skirt in pure soft cotton featuring pleat detail

Blue Harbour Stormwear™ + Ultimate Trekking Trousers, at M+S
These Ultimate trekking pants are made from a luxury pima cotton blend which is softer, stronger and more absorbent than normal cotton. They feature an adjustable belt and zip-off legs so you can wear them in any terrain. Our unique Stormwear™ water repellent finish keeps you dry and Freshtech™ technology prevents odours

Footglove™ Leather Widefit Shoes, at Marks & Spenser
Square toe Contrast stitch detail Slip-on Heel height 78mm Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

2 Pure Cotton Truck & Stripe T-Shirts, at Marks & Spencers
Stock up on essential t-shirts with this great value multipack in soft, comfortable cotton. Fashionable, practical and easycare

The Floral Collection Magnolia Shower Cream, at Mark & Spensers
Moisture rich shower cream Magnolia scented 250ml Ingredients: Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Magnolia Liliflora (Magnolia), Glycerin, Cocamide DEA, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Betaine, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Geraniol, Linalool, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-39, Citric Acid, Benzophenone-2, Magnesium Nitrate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Propylene Glycol Methylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Propylparaben, Sorbitol, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, CI 19140, CI 14700

Father's Day Port & Glass Set, at MarksandSpencer
Is your dad a port fan? Then let him unwind on Father's Day with a delicous glass, or two, of his favourite tipple. This great gift set includes a 2003 bottle of L.B.V. port and two long stem crystal port glasses You must be 18 or over to purchase this product

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ6 Digital Camera, at Mark's & Spencer
Pixels: 10.1 Megapixels Zoom: 12x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom Screen: 2.7" TFT LCD Display ISO: Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 High Sensitivity (ISO 1600-6400) Dimensions: W10.3 x H5.9 x D3.2cm Weight: Approx. 229g with battery and SD memory card, Approx. 206g (without) Face Detection: AF/AE to focus on faces in the frame and remove unwanted red-eye Optical Image Stabilizer: MEGA O.I.S. to compensate hand-shake Intelligent ISO Control: To detect subject movement Intelligent Scene Selector: To select the optimal scene mode automatically AF Tracking: To continually track a moving subject and keep it in focus Intelligent Exposure: to correct the brightness level

Multi-Storage Bag Set, at Marks and Spencers
Clear plastic Pack of 3 Double handle Zip fastening

2 Cotton Rich Lace Trim Vests, at Mark's & Spencer
Stylish and practical, this pack of 2 vests makes a great value way to stock up your underwear drawer. The stretch cotton fabric is the ideal choice for everyday wear and gives a comfortable flattering fit

Autograph Flock Stripe Lace Padded DD-G Bra, at Marks and Spencer
Elegant and feminine, this lace detail bra features flock stripe design. It's underwired and structured to give fuller busts great support and a flattering enhanced shape. Beautiful exclusive lingerie

Easy Pasta Book, at Marks & Spenser
Pasta - food for passion, food for life! For food that puts the colour and fun back into your life, look no further than pasta. Infinitely versatile and always delicious, pasta allows you to cook up a storm in the kitchen and whip up Italian delights that cannot fail to impress. Invite over the family, gather around the kitchen table and tuck into some truly inspirational food. For fail-safe ideas that take the minimum of effort, look no further than the recipes inside this book

Girls' Limited Pure Cotton Brace Skirt, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Girls Limited, a contemporary casual collection in trend-conscious styles and soft comfortable fabrics, designed for easy layering. Perfect for stylish girls who love looking fashionable

Total Support All Over Lace Bra, at Marks and Spencer
Soft and comfortable, this non-wired bra gives all-round support and uplift with good coverage, extra wide straps and 3 hook-and-eye fasteners. It's secure but gentle and lightweight, an ideal choice for everyday wear

Limited Collection Triple Seam Pump Shoes, at Marks and Spenser
Pointed toe Triple seam design Slip on Flat sole Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

4 Silver Plated Clip On Earrings, at Marks & Spenser
Set of 4 Assorted designs Clip on style

I Love Sugar Recipe Book, at Marks & Spencer
Over 100 easy-to-follow recipes for all manner of sweet treats. Each illustrated with a beautiful colour photograph of the finished dish. Handy square format

Soft Grip Slotted Spoon, at Marks and Spencer
Cut-out slot design Suitable for non-stick saucepans Grip handle, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

12-Piece Lyon Dinner Set, at Marks & Spensers
12-piece set Includes 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates and 4 cereal bowls Dinner plate: Diam 28cm Side plate: Diam 21cm Cereal bowl: H8 x Diam 14cm Rib detail, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Hello Kitty Top, at Mark's & Spencer
Fans of Hello Kitty will love this cotton top featuring the popular character. A practical, easycare style

Watercolour Floral 80th Birthday Card, at Mark's & Spencer
Cover text: Happy 80th Birthday Inside message: Congratulations on your special day Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Cashmilon™ Hat, Scarf & Gloves Set, at Mark's & Spencer
Snug and cosy, this cute hat, scarf and gloves set is a fashionable choice for chilly weather

4 Large Maxim Wine Glasses, at Marks and Spencer
Pack of 4 Height 23cm 45cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

North Coast Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Ribbed Trim Top, at Mark's & Spencer
Fashionable and relaxed, this long sleeve top is made from pure cotton it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Print Weave Holiday Hat, at M&S
This stylish weave hat is finished with a floral trim. Perfect for holidays or a sunny day

Dan's Mouse with Gift 21st Birthday Card, at Marks and Spenser
Cover text: 21 today! Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 230 x 114mm

Limited Collection Heirloom Hoop Earrings, at Marks & Spencers
Hook fastening Hoop style Assorted bead design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Limited Collection Flash Sunglasses, at M & S
These elegantly understated sunglasses will never go out of style. A fabulously versatile summer essential

Pure Cotton Turn-Up Sleeve Drawstring Coat, at Marks and Spencers
Modern and stylish, this turn-up sleeve coat is beautifully designed for a flattering, sophisticated look

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

Thinking that most Car 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 Car Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Car Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M&S Money Car Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Car 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 Car Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Car 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 Car 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.