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

Shopping for financial products at Marks & Spencer Money UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks and Spenser 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 House 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 Marks and Spencer, 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.

Marks & Spencer Money 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 Motor 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; Motor Insurance and House 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 House 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, Marks & Spencer Money Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

PlayStation®2 Crash of the Titans Game, at Marks & Spencers
Crash now has a powerful acrobatic fighting system At any point in the game get your buddy to join in and play as Carbon-Crash, and work together to unleash total chaos! Control, play and battle as 15 different outrageous and totally unique enemies 2007 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe 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, ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults

Pacific Coffee Table, at Marks & Spensers
H42 x W76 x D76cm 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

Marlow 6-Drawer Chest, at M & S
H118 x W46 x D43cm Crafted predominantly from solid pine and fibreboard Delivered fully assembled This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Sweet Bergamot Pot Pourri Bag, at Marks and Spenser
Sweet bergamot fragrance, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Beaded Cushion, at Mark's & Spencer
Rectangular shape Beaded design Dimensions: H30 x L40cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Dualit Coffee Grinder, at Marks and Spencers
Conical burr grinder for a consistent grind Removable burrs for easy cleaning Grinds at a slow 450rpm to preserve the natural coffee aroma Safety cut-out to protect against stones 13 grind settings, from coarse (percolator) to fine (espresso) Portion control grinds only what you require Large hopper holds up to 250g of beans Dimensions: 11 x 16 x 28.5cm Weight: 1.5kg This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Welcome Whites - Case of 12, at Mark's & Spencer
2 Domaine Cambos Gros Manseng 2008 2 Miradou, Ctes de Provence Ros 2008 4 Santa Gloria Chardonnay 2008 4 Ponticello, Pinot Grigio di Sicilia 2008 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Bow Cluster Charm Necklace, at Marks and Spencers
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Link chain Spot bow feature Heart and bead charms Necklace length: 36cm, extendable by 5cm

Gold Plated Catseye Tear Drop Earrings, at Marks & Spencer
Drop style Hook fastening Catseye tear drop design For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Pavilion Dinner Plate, at Marks & Spencers
Round shape Platinum detail Diameter: 28cm Not suitable for use in microwaves, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Mini Limited Pure Cotton Floral Print Dress, at Marks & Spencer
Mini Limited is a collection of cute fun styles designed in the latest looks. The casual, contemporary pieces are comfortable, easy to wear and perfect for layering

Scrapbook Style 60th Birthday Card, at M&S
Cover text: 60 today Inside message: With love This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Large Slow Roasted Tomato & Goat's Cheese Quiche, at Marks & Spencer
Serves 12 Ready to eat 1.5kg Suitable for vegetarians As featured on page 20 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

Pure Cotton Embroidered Owl Booties, at Marks & Spenser
Cute and comfy, these practical booties feature an embroidered owl design. A soft stretchy cuff keeps them on securely

Blue Harbour Cotton Rich Sweat Pants, at Marks&Spencer
Whether you're active or relaxing, do it in style and comfort in these cotton rich joggers

4 Windsor Red Wine Glasses, at Marks & Spencer
Set of 4 Dishwasher safe 47cl H24cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Laska Sink, at Marks and Spencers
H18 x W45 x D45cm Sink only Some self-assembly required. Delivered boxed to your door. You will need to unpack, assemble and position the item yourself This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Detachable Bra Straps, at Marks & Spenser
These clear bra straps can be attached to your multiway bras

Humax PVR-9150T Digital Television Recorder with 160GB HDD & Twin Tuner, at Marks & Spencer
Digital terrestrial set-top box Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel Access to Freeview+ channels Simultaneous playback of previous recording and recording of 2 channels Up to 100 hours of recording on an integrated 160GB HDD MPEG-2 Digital & Fully DVB-T Compliant Picture In Picture (PIP) for viewing 2 programs on 1 screen Pause & Play live TV (Time Shift Recording) One touch record scheduling in EPG Common Interface for Pay TV Software Upgrade via OTA & serial connection (RS-232C) Dimensions: W36 x H5 x D24.5cm Weight: 2.9kg

Frill Crook Umbrella, at Marks&Spencer
Brighten up rainy days with this stylish lightweight umbrella

Autograph 3/4 Length Sleeve Ombre Print Top, at Marks & Spencer
Part of Autograph's Luxe Tradition trend. Luxurious and contemporary with a sense of British heritage, this trend features a soft colour palette, modern prints and beautiful fabrics. A sophisticated look for the new season

White Floral Thank You Multipack of 8 Cards, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: Thank you Inside message: Blank for your own message Pack contains: 8 cards, 1 design Approx size: 120 x 120mm

Cotton Rich Short Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Mark & Spensers
A chic and stylish essential, this shirt features a fine stripe design. It works for day and evening, dressed up or down

3 Cool & Fresh Cotton Rich Assorted Trunks, at Marks & Spencer
Made from soft breathable stretch cotton, these comfy trunks are ideal for everyday wear

Beaded 65th Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover text: 65 Today Inside message: Happy Birthday Approx size: 178 mm x 125 mm

Portfolio Bootleg Stab Stitch Trousers, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Portfolio's Mimosa trend. A beautifully elegant look featuring chic, muted tones such as cocoa, mink, saffron and purple. Striking prints are key to this feminine trend

Pearl Effect Wire Baroque Necklace, at Marks & Spensers
Dual-strand feature Pearl-effect design Length: 44cm

Pair of Olive Trees, at Marks & Spensers
These two small olive trees are great for your patio or doorstep. Ready for replanting into your own pot Available for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

Easy Iron Pure Cotton Oxford Honeycomb Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Stylish and innovative, this pure cotton easycare shirt is quick and easy to iron for a smart crisp look

Whole Side of Oak Smoked Orkney Salmon, at Marks n Spencer
Serves 12-15 Ready to eat Suitable for freezing 500g As featured on page 24 in the food to order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 5 days Available for collection in the majority of our UK mainland stores

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

Also, on both Marks & Spencer Money Premier House Insurance and Standard House 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.