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 & Spenser 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 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.

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

Whether you're looking for savings products or Marks & Spencer Money loans, credit cards or Buildings & Contents Insurance - besides a number of other insurance products, Marks & Spencer 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 & Spencer Money insurance products (Buildings & Contents 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.

There are lots of ways to save money using Marks & Spencer Money. Not least of these is Marks and Spencers Standard Car Insurance. With Marks & Spencer Money you can keep the cost of your Car Insurance down by choosing Standard cover, over Premier Cover. UK Vehicle can then be added to your policy as optional extras, if you wanted to.

If you're thinking of adding both Breakdown Cover and Motor Legal Protection, then it would cost less to upgrade to Premier Car Insurance cover from Marks & Spencer Money, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from Marks and Spenser, and these include: Courtesy car (subject to availability); Loss, theft, damage and destruction of vehicle; Loss or damage to personal property in vehicle; Personal accident cover up to £10,000; Windscreen cover (£75 excess); a 24 hour claims service, and many other options as standard on each policy. In short, with Car Insurance from M&S Financial Services, you get more, and you pay less.

Autograph Mineral Powder Blusher, at Marks & Spencer
Designed for all skin types Fragrance and preservative free Hypoallergenic

Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2006, Central Otago - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape Variety: Pinot Noir Country: New Zealand Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 14% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.5 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.8 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

DeLonghi Perfecta Easytronic ESAM5400 Coffee Machine, at MarksandSpencer
High performance 15 bar pump pressure Traditional cappuccino milk frother Ultimate bean-to-cup quality with only one touch to create perfect espresso Easytronic digital control panel: stylish ipod-style design with sleek illuminated icon display and rotating control dial Perfecta can be used with either fresh coffee or ground coffee Removable water tank (1.7 litres) Integrated professionalburr grinder with 7 adjustable coarseness settings Adjustable quantities of coffee and water to make an individually tailored cup of coffee Electronic temperature control so you can set your coffee from piping hot to medium temperature Removable brewing unit for easy cleaning Automatic shut-off of machine after a pre-set time has elapsed Adjustable steam emission Double boiler system, with one boiler exclusively for espresso and the other for steam, means your cappuccino can be made almost instantly with the press of one button Rinse and decalcification auto-programmes variable to reflect local water hardness Adjustable height coffee dispenser to accommodate either full size or espresso size Active cup warmer Removable drip tray with water level indicator Stylish high gloss black 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Pure Silk Stripe Tie, at M & S
Add a luxurious finishing touch with this contemporary stripe tie in pure silk

Leather Chino Belt, at Marks & Spencers
Add a smart finishing touch with this leather belt

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

Portfolio Funnel Neck Belted Mac, at Marks and Spencer
Part of Portfolio's Parisienne trend. Feel bold and chic in this feminine look inspired by Parisian style. With a striking colour palette of cream, ruby, black and dove grey, this is a style-conscious trend for the new season

Organic Cotton Erin Eco Shopper, at Marks and Spencer
Shop greener by using this organic cotton shopper instead of plastic carriers. The portrait of model Erin O'Connor was commissioned from eminent fashion illustrator David Downton, making this bag a must-have stylish accessory

Stainless Steel Melon Baller, at Marks and Spencer
Hanging loop Stainless steel, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

PlayStation®2 Singstar Abba, at Marks and Spencer
For ages 3+ Sing along to Abba Download new songs via the SingStore Upload your video performances with My SingStar Online 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

Perfect Fit Memory Foam Plunge Bra, at Marks & Spencer
The Perfect Fit plunge bra offers the ultimate comfort fit with its specially developed cups that use memory foam technology. As it warms against your skin, this beautifully soft bra moulds to your body creating the perfect natural shape whilst providing comfort and support

Full Brief Lace Shorts, at Mark's & Spencer
Smart, snug and easy to care for, these cosy shorts combine a flattering fit with a lace design and stretchy fabric to create the perfect knickers for day to day wear

3 °Climate Control Cotton Rich Plain Trunks, at Marks & Spensers
Climate control keeps you cool when you're hot and warms you up when you're cold so you're always at your optimum temperature. Exclusive to M&S, Climate control clothing is comfortable and breathable - ideal for sportswear. The Outlast technology behind this innovative fabric was originally developed for astronauts and is recognised by NASA as Certified Space Technology

Blue Harbour Zip Fastening Fleece Jacket, at Marks & Spencer
Relaxed and cosy, this fleece makes a warm and comfortable extra layer

Ditsy Floral Print Bedset, at Marks and Spencer
Ditsy floral print Single set includes single duvet cover (3ft) and 1 pillowcase Double set includes double duvet cover (4ft 6in) and 2 pillowcases King size includes king size duvet cover (5ft) and 2 pillowcases, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

RealCool Cotton™ Active Performance T-Shirt, at Marks & Spensers
Ideal for active wear, this RealCool Cotton™ t-shirt is made from high-performance breathable stretch fabric. It's designed in the latest style for a great fit and ease of movement

Sony DCR-SX30ES Camcorder, at Marks and Spencers
Pixels: 800k pixel CCD sensor Zoom: 60x optical zoom / 2000x digital zoom Screen: 2.7'' Wide LCD with easy to use touchscreen Dimensions: 59 x W57 x 107mm Weight: 240g (without batteries and card) Video: AVI (MJPEG) movie files. Size: 640x480, 320x240, Frame rate: 30 fps, 15 fps Memory 4 GB internal flash memory, HYBRID recording on optional Memory Stick™ Image Stabilization: SteadyShot image stabilization for clearer video and stills Indexes Face Index and Film Roll Index for quick, easy searches Sound Stereo sound recording with zoom mic for clearer dialogue and sound of foreground subjects BatteryUp to 13 hours STAMINA continuous shooting time (with optional battery) USBOne Touch Disc Burn and Easy PC back up via USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connection (Output only) 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

Portfolio Elasticated Panelled Flared Skirt, at Marks and 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

Angel Spot Print First Bra & Knickers Set, at Marks and Spencer
Soft and comfortable, this spot print bra and knickers set is made from stretch cotton. It's designed to give gentle support and a flattering fit

Adored Comfort Floral Embroidered Non-Padded E-G Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Soft and pretty, this non-padded bra is made from the softest fabric and embroidery, so it feels blissfully comfortable to wear. It's underwired and shaped for an uplifted natural look. Feminine everyday lingerie

Corkscrew, at Marks n Spencer
Ergonomic grip handle This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Wipe-Clean Fairy Activity Book, at Marks & Spencers
Have hours of wipe-clean fun in this fairy activity book. Inside you will find mazes and puzzles, word searches and spot the difference plus much more! Decorate the pretty fairies and butterflies with your wipe-clean pens, then next time, wipe them off and start again

MoDA Wine Bottles Bamboo Paper Blank Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Blank Inside message: Blank for your own message Our MoDA range has been screen printed onto paper made from bamboo. Bamboo is a truly sustainable and renewable resource as it's the fastest growing plant on the planet! Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Autograph High Heel Stud Gladiator Sandals, at Marks & Spencers
Made with Insolia technology, an exclusive innovation that makes high heels more comfortable to wear and better for your body's alignment and balance. They work by taking the weight off your toes, so there's less pressure and more stability. Your legs, back and feet stay more comfy all day Open toe Stud strap detail Buckle fastening High heel Heel height: 9cm Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Bottle: 6 x 75cl Alcohol by volume: 15% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 11.3 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

Traditional Wedding Cake, at Marks & Spensers
Fruit cake: Vine fruits, nuts and cherries laced with brandy. Fruitcakes can be eaten up to 14 days after collection Sponge cake: All-butter sponge filled with buttercream and raspberry jam and covered in soft icing. Sponge cakes can be eaten up to 5 days after collection Medium cake (24 portions): Diam 15.5cm, Cakeboard Diam 20.5cm Large cake (54 portions): Diam 22.5cm, Cakeboard Diam 27.2cm Extra large cake (66 portions): Diam 27.5cm, Cakeboard Diam 31.2cm Fruit cake weights: Medium 1.46kg, Large 2.6kg, Extra large 3.85kg Sponge cake weights: Medium 650g, Large 1.35kg, Extra large 2.04kg Height of each cake: 5.5cm Choose from white or ivory soft icing Please note - You can tier sponge cakes on top of fruitcakes, but fruitcakes are too heavy to tier on top of sponges Please note - You will need to assemble this cake with dowels and pillars which are available to purchase in store. Please contact your collection store for details and ordering Silver cakeboard Comes in a box suitable for storing the cake before serving Not suitable for nut allergy sufferers Suitable for vegetarians As featured on page 61 of the Food to Order brochure Order by 5pm to collect in 7 days Available for collection in participating M&S UK stores

Autograph Langford Chair, at Marks & Spencer
H97 x W71 x D84cm Seat H51cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushion filled with polyester fibre. Gives a soft sit with a lived-in look, which will soften and relax even further with use. Fibre is sewn into channels within the interior to prevent settlement in one area of the cushion Back cushion is fixed foam Frame made from solid hardwood. All main joints are glued and screwed to give the frame strength Frames are rigorously tested with 95kg weight equivalent and exceed standards set for heavy domestic use Solid birch feet with a dark finish All of our fabrics are treated with Stain-Defence™ - a stain resistant finish - at no extra cost. Fabrics are tested for resistance to wear and fading Detailed care instructions are included 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 Free swatch service: Order up to 6 free swatch samples of any fabric to help you choose your upholstery by calling 0845 603 1 603 Please note: Images displayed here act as a guide and may not be representative of the finished item. Fabrics are overlayed onto model images, so actual seams and pattern match may differ from what is shown. Leather furniture, in particular, has more seams than fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Glass Ball Collection - Table Lamp, at Marks and Spencers
Square base Glass ball stem Suedette shade H60 x Diam 30cm Bulb: 100W BC GLS 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 , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

White Pearl Damask Small Wedding Photograph Album, at Marks & Spencers
Contains: 1 album, 105 glue dots, gift box, 700Mb CD-R Album: H155 x W200 x D33 mm Box: H168 x W215 mm x D40 mm

Footglove™ Wide Fit Wedge Slingback Shoes, at Mark's & Spencer
Peep toe Stitch detail Slingback style Buckle fastening Wedge heel Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

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

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