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 Mark's & Spencer, through its Marks & Spencers 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 Property Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Mark's & Spencer may not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind when you're thinking about renewing your Property Insurance or Car Insurance, but Marks & 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 Marks & Spencers Money website. With a simple, no-hassle service, you can compare features between a number of Marks & Spencer Money products and competitor's products, and sign up in just a few minutes.

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

Free insurance quotes are available online for all of Marks & Spencers Money insurance products (Property Insurance, Car 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 & Spencers insurance products in document format too.

Marks & Spencers 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 Marks & Spencers 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 & Spencer 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, Sainsbury's, or Tescos:

• 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 Marks & Spencers Money UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Pure Cotton Long Sleeve Stripe Top, at Marks and Spencers
This fashionable top is made from super soft fabric that looks and feels great. Modern styling details give it a cool contemporary edge

Signature Green Fig Room Spray, at Marks and Spencers
15ml Green fig fragrance Clear glass with attractive labelled design This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Coloured Glass Collection - 3 Nature Votives Tea Light Holders, at Marks & Spencer
Pack of 3 Circular shape Rustic bubble effect Glass holders Assorted colours Tea lights included W7.2 x D7.2 x H8cm Burning time: Approx: 4 hours, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Claret Christian Moueix 2005 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencers
Grape variety: 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc Country of origin: France Closure: Natural Cork Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13% Alcohol units per bottle: 9.8 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.6 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Compact Umbrella with Built In Light, at Mark & Spensers
Lightweight and easy to carry, this slimline umbrella provides you with effective protection from those sudden downpours and even has a built in light for those dark nights

3 Pure Cotton Short Sleeve Polo Shirts, at Marks & Spencers
This pack of easycare shirts is outstanding value. They're made from pure cotton, perfect if you prefer a natural fabric

7 Pairs of FreshFeet Assorted Stripe Socks with Silver Technology, at Marks and Spencers
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

Collezione Suedette Single Breasted Jacket, at Mark's & Spencer
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

Girls' Limited Plain Leggings, 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

125 Years Limited Collection Cotton Rich Stripe Vest & Shorts Set, at Marks and Spencers
Part of the Commemorative Collection, celebrating 125 years of M&S. These exclusive garments have been inspired by some of the beautiful pieces in our archive and reference the iconic decades of the 20th century. Retro styling has been given a contemporary twist for the modern day

Per Una Woven Neck Bib Top, at Marks & Spenser
An elegant short flared sleeve top featuring a ditsy print and woven neck bib

Handcrafted Photographic Roses with Legs Card, at Marks & Spensers
Cover text: none Inside message: Happy Valentine's Day 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

Clever Baby Touch & Learn Words Book, at Marks and Spencers
Touch and Learn Words encourages 1 to 2 year olds to build on their learning skills. Its lots of fun too with chunky tabs to choose from and different textures to touch and explore

Pure Cotton Frill Cap Sleeve Top with Heart Necklace, at Marks and Spencer
A frill cap sleeve design adds a pretty touch to this pure soft cotton top

Cut Swirl Wine glass, at Marks and Spenser
V-shape Wide base Swirl design Dishwasher safe Height: 24.5 cm Capacity: 38 cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Square Porcelain Soap Dish, at Marks and Spencer
H2 x L14 x W9cm Stripe design Square dish, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Perfect Limited Collection Almond Toe Court Shoes, at Marks & Spencers
Almond toe Court style Stitch detail Mid heel Heel height: 64mm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

5 Younger Boys' Assorted Socks, at Marks & Spencers
The stripe and argyle design adds a stylish touch to these comfortable socks

Suede Sprung-Edge Divan with 4 Large Drawers, at Marks n Spencer
Double (4ft 6): W135 x L190cm King size (5ft): L150 x W200cm Super king size (6ft): L180 x W200cm Divan height: H41cm Sprung-edge divan - Can be used with any mattress Solid wooden frame Large drawers: H14 x W78 x D52cm Feet are castors Free eco-friendly home delivery. Our crews will unpack, assemble and position the item All mattresses and divans are anti-allergy protected All mattresses and Divans are manufactured in the UK This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Hunter Valley Shiraz 2007 - Case of 6, at M & S
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Shiraz Country of origin: Australia Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.8 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.6 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Parisian Chic Shopping List, at Marks and Spencer
Contents: 1 magnetic shopping list (approx. 30 sheets of paper), 1 black ink pen (non refillable) Dimensions: 135 x 255mm

Wide Rib Opaque Tights, at Marks and Spenser
Add a stylish touch of chic with this head-turning wide rib design

Autograph Leather Double Front Pocket Hobo Bag, at Marks & Spensers
Luxurious and beautiful, this hobo bag is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. It's made from soft hardwearing leather, and is useful and practical as well as being a highly desirable fashion accessory

2 Machine Washable Micro Dot Ties, at Marks & Spenser
No more trips to the drycleaners! This contemporary striped tie is machine washable

Autograph Lip Pencil, at MarksandSpencer
Soft textured twist-up lipliner with brush for defining and shading lips Hypo-allergenic

M&S Twin DECT Cordless Phones with Large Buttons, at M&S
DECT - Digitally enhanced cordless phones provide crystal clear sound quality, increased talk time and range coupled with increased security Talk time - up to 10 hours with 100 hours standby Speakerphone - talk hands-free Large display, big buttons and ultra-slim profile HD Sound - High Definition communication Large, white backlit inverse display Stores 100 names and numbers Up to 10 hours with 100 hours standby 5 polyphonic ringer melodies and 5 standard ringer melodies Built-in digital answering machine with up to 15 minutes recording time Access the answering machine on the base Message counter display on base 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 This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Linen Blend Short Sleeve Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and contemporary, this linen blend polo shirt is a practical easycare style

50% Extra Stems on Summer Dawn Bouquet, at Marks&Spencer
This item can only be ordered with the purchase of the Summer Dawn Bouquet (00669221)

2 Mini Limited Velour Jogging Bottoms, at Mark's & 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

Sonoma Dark Nest of Tables, at MarksandSpencer
2 part set H60 x W45 x D45cm (largest) Made from solid oak and oak veneer Solid oak end grain detail 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 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

When you're shopping at Marks and Spencer 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 Marks & Spencers Money. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Property Insurance and Car Insurance, there's a lot more going on at M&S than you might imagine.

In particular, if you're thinking of travelling soon, then consider Travel Insurance from Marks & Spencers 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 Marks & Spencers Money, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the Marks & Spencers 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."