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 M & S 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 M&S Money Direct 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.

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 Marks & Spencers are so useful. M&S Money Direct 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, Property Insurance policies. Usually, UK Property 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 Property 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 Property Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

M&S Money Direct 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 Car 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; Car Insurance and Property 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 Property 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, M&S Money Direct Insurance does not have these insurance limits, excepting liability and cash cover, and therefore you can not be under-insured.

UFO Paper Ceiling Light Shade, at Marks and Spencer
Paper Plain UFO shape D90 x H45cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

12-Piece Summer Manor Dinner Set, at Marks & Spencer
12-piece set Includes 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates and 4 cereal bowls 4 dinner plates: Diam28cm 4 side plates: Diam21.5cm 4 cereal bowls: H6 x Diam14cm Fine china Floral design, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Body Formula 24 Hour Extra Rich Body Cream, at M&S
Suitable for all skin types Replenishes lost moisture Nourishes and feeds the skin Smoothes and softens Soft care system leaves a velvety feel to your skin 200ml

Patent Leather Belt, at Marks and Spencers
Define your waistline with this fashionable patent leather belt

Sicilian Pinot Grigio Blush Rosé 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spenser
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Grigio Country of origin: Italy Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 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

Bright Squares Well Done Card, at MarksandSpencer
Cover text: Well done! Inside message: blank for your own message Approx size: 150 x 150mm

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

Cotton Rich Heart Print First Bra & Knickers Set, at Mark's & Spencer
Soft and comfortable, this bra and knickers set is ideal for everyday wear

Murphy's Contemporary Selection White Mix - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencer
2 Chateau Darzac Reserve 2008: A subtle, unoaked white wine from Bordeaux that is youthful and refreshing... 2 Castello d'Alba White 2008: A stylish, full-flavoured white from Portugal's Douro Valley. Traditional Portuguese varieties have been used to create a highly individual wine with layers of flavour that include red apple, wild herbs, toasted almonds and mixed spice... 4 Willowbank Semillon Chardonnay 2007: A refreshing and intensely fruity white that is perfect for everyday drinking... 4 Beau Moulin Blanc 2008: A bright and crisp, unoaked white wine from a blend of traditional grapes grown in the sunny vineyards of the Languedoc... You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Autograph 3-Piece Jeans Outfit, at Marks and Spencers
Practical and pretty, this cute 3-piece jeans outfit is made from soft fabric to keep her feeling comfy and happy. With luxury in every detail, this is part of our exclusive Autograph collection

Philips CD1554B Cordless Phone with Answering Machine, at MarksandSpencer
50 name and number phonebook 10 number call log list 5 number redial list 10 minutes recording time Plug and play answering machine Tone and pulse dialing Call waiting Caller ID, conference call, explicit call transfer, microphone mute Registers up to 4 handsets to one base Talktime up to 12 hours, standby time up to 150 hours Range of up to 300 metres outdoors/50 metres indoors Talk time up to 12 hours Base dimensions: 120 x 114 x 82.5mm Handset dimensions: 162 x 48.3 x 28.7mm

Palataia Pinot Grigio 2008 - Case of 12, at Marks & Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Pinot Grigio Country of origin: Germany Closure: Screw cap Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol volume: 12.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 9.4 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

The Floral Collection Rose Moisture Rich Shower Cream, at Marks and Spencer
250ml Rose fragrance Moisture rich shower cream

Fun Photographic 50th Birthday Card, at Mark's & Spencer
Approx. size: 215 x 150mm Cover text: 50 Like a posh wine, you've grown more mellow with all the years. Or is it grown more mellow with all the posh wine? Inside message: Happy 50th birthday

In Bloom Jasmine & Honeysuckle Fragranced Candle, at Mark & Spensers
Jasmine and honeysuckle fragrance Burn time: 20 hours, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Trace & Learn Wipe Clean Kids 123 Book, at Marks n Spencer
A wipe-clean pack that provides practice in handwriting. It provides numbers and letters for children to trace over, with red dots showing the starting point in each case. It also features assorted pictures to trace and complete

Sunny Daze Eau De Toilette 100ml, at M&S
Floral fragrance 100ml

White Pearl Damask Thank You Cards - Pack of Ten, at Marks & Spencer
Inside message: Blank for your own message 10 cards, 1 design Approx size: 155 x 110mm

Moulded Lace Multiway Bra, at Marks & Spencer
This versatile bra can be worn 5 ways: conventionally, halterneck, cross back, strapless and one shoulder. Designed for a comfortable flattering fit, secure support and great flexibility

Machine Washable Textured Diagonal Stripe Tie, at Mark & Spensers
Combining machine washable convenience with a contemporary design, this stunning tie will make a valuable and versatile addition to your smart wardrobe

Linen Blend Broad Brim Summer Hat, at M+S
Express your stylish side with this wide brim hat

Handcrafted Glitter Heart Valentine Card, at M+S
Cover Text: Love Be mine You are my best friend Be my Valentine Love is all you need! Will be yours always! I heart you Hearts Flowers Kisses Inside Message: Happy Valentine's Day Approx size: 15 x 150mm This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future

Abstract Butterfly Print Flip Flop, at Marks & Spencer
Butterfly print Toe thong design Flat sole

Capstan Stud Waist Belt, at Marks and Spencer
Define your waistline with this fashionable capstan stud waist belt

Silver-Plated Photo Frame with Double Mount 13 x 18cm (5 x 7''), at Mark's & Spencer
Rectangular shape Double mount Removeable mount card Aperture: 13 x 18cm (5 x 7''), Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Older Boys' Pure Cotton Denim Shorts, at Marks and Spencer
Comes with belt shown in image Practical and fashionable, these relaxed denim shorts make a great choice for warmer weather

Flat Front Crease Resistant Trousers, at Marks & Spenser
Adopt a fuss-free approach to formal dressing with the crease resistant fabric of these sharp trousers, allowing you to stay looking smarter for longer

Maxim Casserole Dish, at Marks and Spencer
Removable lid with small handle Height 10cm Diameter 25.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Chunky Chip Shell Necklace, at Marks & Spensers
Adjustable length Clasp fastening Multi strand Mixed shell beads Circular pendant Necklace length 41cm, extendable by 8cm

Barossa Chardonnay 2007 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Dry Grape variety: Chardonnay Country of origin: Australia Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13% 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

Shopping for financial products at M&S Money Direct UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the M+S online store. Here are just some of the financial products which can be purchased via the M&S Money Direct website:

• M&S Insurance: M&S Car Insurance, M&S Property 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 n Spencer, it's easy to see that these are good financial products, at value-for-money prices.

And, just as importantly, contacting M&S Money Direct in the event of a query, or an insurance claim, is as easy as picking up the phone, or visiting the M&S Money Direct website.