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's & Spencer 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 & 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.

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 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 Buildings & Contents 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 Buildings & Contents 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.

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 Spenser 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 M+S insurance products in document format too.

Barton 2-Seater Sofa, at Marks and Spencer
H90 x W158 x D90cm Seat H51cm (all dimensions are approximate) Seat cushions filled with shape-retaining foam - superior quality foam with a high density for added comfort and support Other cushions 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 Fabric options feature reversible cushions 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 Includes 2 matching fibre scatter cushions Feet are castors with antique-brass effect 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 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 that fabric upholstery due to the nature of the material, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

North Coast Pure Cotton Check Shirt, at Mark's & Spencer
Stylishly smart casual, this check shirt is made from pure cotton so it feels soft and comfortable to wear

Wide Rib Thermal Camisole Vest, at Marks & Spencer
Keep warm and comfortable in this soft thermal camisole vest. Designed to add a cosy extra layer without feeling bulky

Pure Cotton Matinee Cardigan, at Marks&Spencer
Knitted in pure cotton, this cute hooded cardigan will keep him warm and comfy. It looks cuddly too!

Sonoma Mirror, at Marks & Spenser
H85 x W128 x D3cm Wide frame Oak veneer Made from solid oak and oak veneer This range features natural wood characteristics Finished with 2 coats durable, clear lacquer of low sheen 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

Autograph Bronzer Brush, at Marks and Spencer
Handmade Enables you to achieve a controlled light and even coverage

Autograph Anodised Aluminium 16cm Saucepan, at Marks & Spencers
Charcoal-coloured aluminium design Non-stick interior for low-fat cooking and easy cleaning Excellent heat distribution with no hot spots Clear lid with handle Handwash only Riveted handle for durability Suitable for all cooker types except induction Diam: 16cm Capacity: 1.5 litre Oven safe to 180C/350F/gas mark 4, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Marge Simpson Mother's Day Card, at Marks and Spencers
Cover text: Mum, I really hope I follow in your footsteps... Inside message: ...I'm just sorry you have to clean up after mine! Approx size: 230 x 114mm THE SIMPSONS ™ & 2006 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Multi-Aperture Photo Frame, at Marks and Spencer
Holds 7 photos Various size apertures Rectangular frame H53 x W47cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Portfolio Mosaic Bead Necklace, at Marks and Spencer
Clasp fastening Adjustable length Mosaic bead design Necklace length 81cm

Latte Ceramic Table Lamp, at Marks & Spensers
Faux silk shade Cylinder stand Two tone reactive glaze base H49.5 x Diam 28cm Bulb: 60W GLS B22 GLS This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ruby Side Plate - Red, at M&S
Plain centre Stripe edge Diam 21.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Hand Made Slippers & Paper Card, at Marks & Spencer
Handcrafted card featuring fluffy slippers and newspaper Cover reads: Relax on your Birthday Inside message: with a cup of tea and your favourite paper Approx size: 125 x 178mm

Pair of Pompenette Trees, at Marks & Spenser
Add some bright colour to your garden space with this beautiful pompenette standard Available for delivery until 30th September 2009

Footglove™ Widefit Round Toe Shoes, at Mark's & Spencer
Round toe Buckle fastening Stitch detail Mid heel

Birthday Girl Crown Birthday Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover Text: Birthday Girl Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: Flat: 150 x 215mm. Crown circumference up to 600mm

Button Detail Sparkle Baker Boy Hat, at Marks & Spencer
Add a cute contemporary finishing touch with this flattering button detail baker boy hat

Stainless Steel Meat Prong, at Marks and Spenser
Loop in the handle for hanging Stainless steel This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Luxury Pure Cotton Long Sleeve E-Stripe Shirt, at MarksandSpencer
The superior quality, cut and detailing on this luxurious pure cotton shirt are inspired by Jermyn Street tailors. A sophisticated style with a great fit

Padded Walking Boot Socks with Silver Technology, at M & S
These comfortable cushioned walking socks are specially designed to prevent blistering and protect feet from impact

Funnel Neck Tracksuit Jacket, at Marks & Spensers
Whether you're active or relaxed, this versatile tracksuit jacket makes a stylish and comfortable choice

Sprung-Edge Divan with 1 Small + 1 Large Drawer & F100 Mattress, at Marks & Spencer
Single Mattress (3ft): W90cm x L190cm Single Divan (3ft): W90cm x L190cm Mattress depth: 24cm Divan Height: 41cm Large Drawer: H14 x W78 x D52cm, Small Drawer: H14 x W40 x D52cm Smaller drawers at the head end are designed to open without moving your bedside table Open coil mattresses provide a hard-wearing and supportive background 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

Nice And Easy CD, at Marks & Spensers
Album, Marks & Spencer

Handcrafted Diamante Words Valentine Card, at Marks & Spencers
Cover Text: I LOVE YOU Inside message: Blank for your own message This card is made with material from FSC certified sustainable forests. Protecting the world's forests for the future Approx size: 150 x 150mm

Cotton Rich Thomas & Friends™ Shorties, at Marks and Spencer
Fun and practical, this 2 part set features a cool t-shirt and matching shorts with drawstring fastening. It's made from soft cotton to keep him comfy

Per Una Scallop Buckle Shoes, at Marks and Spencers
Round toe Buckle fastening Scallop detail Mid heel Heel height: 80mms Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

Collezione Exclusive Pure Cashmere Herringbone Jacket, at Marks and Spenser
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

Edwardian Lady Peach Jug Mum Birthday Card, at M & S
Cover Text: With love on your Birthday Mum Inside Message: Have a wonderful day Approx size: 150 x 150mm The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady Rowen Stott (Designs) Ltd and RW.UK. Ltd 2008

Low Back Bra Extender, at M&S
Make your bra backless with this clever bra extender. Ideal for wearing under low backed tops and dresses

Pure Cotton Contrast Trim Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and stylish, this stripe shirt is made from cool comfortable cotton and features contrast trim

Shopping for financial products at M&S Money Direct UK website is just as simple as shopping for fashion or furniture at the Marks and Spencers 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 Motor Insurance, M&S Buildings & Contents 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 Spencers, 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.