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 & Spensers 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 M&S Money Direct 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.

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 M+S are so useful. M&S Money Direct 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 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.

Besides Marks and Spencers Motor 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 Marks & Spenser 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.

Flower Embellished Bed Set, at Marks & Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Cashmilon™ Polo Neck Long Sleeve Jumper, at Mark & Spensers
Fashionable and flattering, this polo neck jumper is made from supersoft cashmilon™ and features ribbed trim

Essential Colours Nail Polish, at Marks & Spencer
High gloss Fast dry Chip resistant Formaldehyde and toluene free 8ml This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Sonoma Dark 5-Drawer Chest, at Marks and Spenser
H88 x W90 x D50cm Made from solid oak and oak veneer Features natural wood characteristics - knots, figuring, colour variation and end-grain detail Finished with a rich dark stain, followed by 2 coats of durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Side panels and back panels made from White Oak veneer Top panels made from White Oak veneer with a solid Oak edging for strength Handles made from solid wood Drawer boxes and fronts made from solid hardwood. Drawer bottoms made from White Oak veneer Legs made from solid hardwood All joints are glued and pressed together in the factory, giving more inherent strength than flat pack fittings Free eco-friendly delivery to your home. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item Why use veneers? Unlike solid timber, veneer does not twist/warp/split to the same degree. Only the finest logs are used in veneer production. It is environmentally sound and traditional - much of the finest cabinetry in the world is veneered. Care & Cleaning - Wipe with a soft clean cloth and use a mild furniture cleaner or polish occasionally. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions, and be aware that polishes can add sheen. This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more SAVE ON SETS Save at least 25% when you buy this chest as part of a set. Click here to view the Sonoma Dark Collection Set. , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Straight Leg Trousers with Silk, at Marks and Spencers
Modern and stylish, these straight leg trousers are designed for a contemporary look and flattering silhouette

Disney Princess Glitter & Glamour Puzzle, at Marks and Spencer
Suitable for ages 3+ 37 pieces, including 4 stand-up pieces Heart shaped puzzle with a metallic foil finish This product conforms to EN71 and the Toy Safety Directive Disney, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Long Sleeve Bead Embellished Kaftan, at Marks & Spencers
Feminine and flirty, this kaftan is designed to fit and flatter. A fabulous fashionable look

White Rattan 3-Tier Storage Unit, at Marks & Spenser
3 baskets with hand holes Rattan design Free standing W39 x D34 x H80cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ceriso Silk Rich Floral Print Bikini Knickers, at Marks & Spencers
Fashionable and flirty, these modern bikinis feature a feminine floral print. The skirted style is cute and flattering. Designed for women who want the latest look

Autograph Pure Silk Stripe Tie, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and contemporary, this pure silk tie is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Designer style and luxury at high street prices

Multi Strand Mixed Bead Necklace, at Marks and Spencer
Clasp fastening Mixed scatter bead design Chain necklace Necklace length 81cm Extender

Pure Wool Anatolia Rug, at Mark's & Spencer
Made from New Zealand wool Traditional pattern Fringed design Small: L140 x W80cm Medium: L170x W120cm Large: L230 x W160cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

5 Moulded Utensils, at Marks and Spenser
5 piece set Non-stick surface Includes potato masher, pasta spoon, straining spoon, spatula and serving spoon, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Flat Top Brass Mantle Clock, at M&S
Flat top Rectangular shape Inset dial Analog Glass and brushed metal design Dimensions: 16 x 13 x 5cm Weight: 0.45kg

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Polo Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Stylishly smart casual, this polo shirt is made from pure cotton so it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Panasonic TX-P46S10 Full HD Plasma TV, at Marks and Spencers
HD Ready 1080p: Displays images in Full HD 1080p, the maximum resolution defined for HDTV use, when connected to an HD compatible device Display: 46 inch plasma screen, 2,073,600 (1,920 x 1,080) pixels Contrast Ratio (in dark surroundings): Dynamic: 2,000,000:1; Native: 30,000:1 Integrated Digital Tuner: Gives you access to all Freeview™ terrestrial digital TV channels and all digital radio stations (subject to coverage in your area) Dimensions: W113.2 x H76.7 x D40.1cm (with stand) W113.2 x H72.2 x D10.5cm (without) Weight: 31kg (with stand) 29kg (without stand) V-Audio with SRS TruSurround XT: V-Audio delivers crystal-clear sound with superior bass performance while the SRS TruSurround produces enhanced surrounding effects Connectors: 3 x HDMI, 2 Scart, PC Input, S-Video, Component Video Input, Headphone Jack VIERA Superior Picture Quality: The VIERA system provides richly expressed images with enhanced contrast and deeper natural colours, thanks to the wider x.v.Colour palette Digital Cinema Colour: Superb colour reproduction with 5,1200 steps of gradation Intelligent Frame Creation With 24p Playback: With 50Hz video signal input, the Intelligent Frame Creation achieves high moving picture resolution even in fast-motion scenes. 24p Playback creates high speed playback of images to recreate the full cinematic experience SD Card Slot: View your treasured photos on the big screen by simply removing your camera's memory card and sliding it into the SD card slot VIERA Link: Enables you to control all your AV systems with only one remote Use wall mount T042104 to perfectly mount this TV, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Leather Travel Wallet, at MarksandSpencer
Smart, stylish and practical, this leather wallet makes it easy to organise cards, notes and coins

Crow's Fountain Chenin Blanc 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Chenin Blanc Country of origin: South Africa Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.9 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.9 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Kitten Photo Birthday Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover Text: Have a lovely birthday Inside Message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Elephants Sparkle in My Life Anniversary Card, at Marks and Spencer
Cover text: You're the sparkle in my life Inside message: Happy Anniversary Approx size: 175 mm x 125 mm

Straight Leg Crease Resistant Trousers, at MarksandSpencer
Stay smarter for longer with these innovative crease resistant trousers

Brushed Metal Bling Wall Clock, at M & S
Round face Standard numerals Brushed metal, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Compact Spot Print Umbrella, at Marks and Spencers
This lightweight and compact collapsible umbrella fits easily into your handbag or briefcase so you'll never be left out in the rain again

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

Cream Floral and Polka Dot RSVP Cards - Pack of Ten, at Marks & Spencer
Inside message: Many thanks for your kind wedding invitation................................................................Would be pleased to accept/cannot accept 10 cards, 1 design Approx size: 133 x 73mm

Linen Blend Leaf Print Tie Top, at Marks & Spencer
This fab short sleeveless top features a stunning leaf print. A vibrant new look, perfect for this season

Per Una Assorted Button Longline Cardigan, at Marks & Spensers
A fashionable long sleeve cardigan featuring a front pockets and assorted button detail

Classic FM: Dinner Parties CD, at Marks and Spencers
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

3/4 Sleeve Abstract Print Tunic Top, at Mark's & Spencer
Smart and stylish, this abstract print tunic top is made from softly draping stretch viscose for a fluid look. Pintuck front detail adds a fashionable finishing touch

Autograph Cotton Blend Stripe V-Neck Jumper, at Marks&Spencer
Fashionable and contemporary, this stripe v-neck jumper is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. A great design, superior fabric and careful attention to detail makes it exceptionally stylish and comfortable

Marks and Spencer may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Buildings & Contents Insurance or Motor Insurance, but Marks and Spencer do indeed offer a comprehensive selection of financial products, all of which are competitively priced, and all of which you can purchase directly from the M&S Money Direct website. With a simple, no-hassle service, you can compare features between a number of M&S Finance products and competitor's products, and sign up in just a few minutes.

Whether you're looking for savings products or M&S Money Direct loans, credit cards or Buildings & Contents Insurance - besides a number of other insurance products, M&S Money Direct can save you both time and money, with comprehensive information available at a click.

Free insurance quotes are available online for all of M&S Money Direct insurance products (Buildings & Contents Insurance, Motor Insurance, Travel Insurance, Wedding Insurance and Pet Insurance), or you may call if you wish to on the telephone number provided. Suffice to say that there is also plenty of information which you can download for each of the Marks & Spencer insurance products in document format too.