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 & Spencers 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 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.

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Money Direct. Not least of these is Marks & Spencers Standard Car Insurance. With M&S Money Direct 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 M&S Money Direct, which also has other features.

Nonetheless, many features are standard to both the Premier and the Standard Car Insurance policies on offer from Marks & 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 Marks & Spencer Money, you get more, and you pay less.

Marks & Spensers 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 & Spencers 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 Property 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 (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 & Spenser insurance products in document format too.

Lightweight Animal Print Sequin Scarf, at Marks and Spencer
Add a fashionable finishing touch to your look with this elegant metallised animal print scarf. The perfect accessory to this season's styles

5 Pairs of Newborn Cotton Rich Assorted Design Socks, at Mark's & Spencer
The stripe, flower and butterfly design adds a stylish touch to these comfortable cotton rich socks

Perfect Pure Cotton Lightweight Stripe Jersey Scarf, at Marks and Spencer
This sophisticated lightweight jersey scarf is the perfect accessory to this season's fashions. The stripe design adds a stylish finishing touch

Autograph™ Contemporary Chic Bouquet, at MarksandSpencer
A glamorous mix of sumptuous coolwater roses and lilac alstroemeria, interspersed with mdramatic eryngium blooms and beautifully framed by large leaf eucalyptus Available for delivery from 1st April to 30th September 2009

Traditional Tea Design Wall Clock, at Mark & Spencers
Traditional design Round face Domed metal case Weight: 0.95kgs Diam: 35cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Shoe Tree, at Marks & Spenser
Keep you shoes in great shape with these shoe trees. With an adjustable length, your footwear will be in good hands with this practical gadget

Autograph 4 Piece Suit Outfit, at Marks & Spensers
Part of Kids' Autograph, a luxurious collection of beautifully designed clothing in high quality fabrics with superior finishing details. Kids' Autograph gives a stylish well-dressed look

Pure Cotton Block Stripe Hooded Top, at Marks and Spencer
Relaxed and casual, this comfortable hoodie is made from pure cotton and features stripe design. A great value easycare style

Per Una 3/4 Sleeve Floral Print Blouse, at Marks and Spencer
A beautiful 3/4 sleeve floral print blouse featuring front frill detail.

Sonoma 5-Drawer Chest, at Marks and Spencers
H88 x W90 x D50cm 5 drawers Made from solid oak and oak veneer This range features natural wood characteristics Finished with 2 coats durable, clear lacquer of low sheen Drawer boxes and fronts made from solid Oak. Drawer bottoms made from White Oak veneer Handles made from solid wood Side and back made from White Oak veneer Top panel is veneered with solid Oak edging for strength 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

Classic Collection Round neck Cashmilon™ Cardigan, at Marks & Spencer
Stylish and so comfortable, this round neck cardigan in softest cashmilon™ feels as good as it looks and the smart 3/4 length sleeve adds the perfect finishing touch

Autograph Tinted Moisturiser, at MarksandSpencer
Firming tinted moisturiser Matt finish With ceramides SPF 15 Hypo-allergenic Oil free 30ml

Fabric Finish Text Fiancé Birthday Card, at MarksandSpencer
Cover text: Fianc Sending you all my love Inside message: On your birthday Approx size: Unfolded: 178 x 126mm

Limited Collection Border Studded Leggings, at MarksandSpencer
Part of Limited Collection's LA Love trend. Feminine, soft and laid back, this is a fashionable LA look with a boho vibe. Beautiful fabrics and playful prints are key

Per Una Floral Lace Underwired DD-G Bra, at Marks & Spencers
Flattering and comfortable, this bra is specially designed for fuller busts. The push up style gives gentle support and a flattering enhanced cleavage

Pure Cotton Quick Iron Long Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Marks and Spenser
Stylish and innovative, this pure cotton easycare shirt is quick and easy to iron for a smart crisp look.

2 Younger Boys' Pure Cotton Pull On Hats, at Marks and Spencer
Add a stylish finish with these pull on cotton hats

Sprung-Edge 4 Drawer Divan & Autograph M500 Mattress - Medium, at Marks & Spenser
No turn mattress Mattress and divan are anti-allergy Mattress: spring count 1225, depth 27.5cm Divan height: 41.5cm Divan drawer size: 4 x large H15 x W78.4 x D53cm Single 3ft: W90 x L190cm (has 2 large right- or left-hand drawers) Double 4ft6: W135 x L190cm King size 5ft: W150 x L200cm Super king size 6ft: W180 x L200cm This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Ceriso Essentials Frill Trim Bikini Knickers, at Marks and Spencer
Glamorous and flirty, these modern bikini knickers feature ribbon detail and a frill trim. The low rise, high leg style gives a fabulous body-conscious fit. Designed for women who want the latest look

5 Pairs of Older Boys' Cotton Rich Assorted Socks, at Marks & Spensers
Brighten up his underwear drawer with these fashionable assorted design socks made with soft breathable cotton

Walkmates Floral Design Leather Shoes, at Marks & Spenser
Floral design Stitch detail Riptape fastening Flat sole

2 Maternity Woven Stripe Bras, at Marks & Spencers
Crafted from pure cotton to provide the essential comfort you need during and after your pregnancy. Wide adjustable straps and added stretch create a flattering shape while offering gentle support. This pack contains 1 white and 1 black bra

Hooded Faux Fur Trim Gilet, at Marks & Spencer
Comfortable and practical, this warmly padded gilet jacket features a hood. Great for keeping out the chills

Floral Print Shorts, at M & S
These pretty floral shorts are shapely and modern. Added stretch gives a comfortable, figure-flattering fit

Pure Cotton 3/4 Turn-Up Sleeve Check Shirt, at Mark's & Spencer
Smart and stylish, this 3/4 turn-up sleeve shirt is made from cool comfortable cotton and features front pockets and check print

Ladies Bling Sports Watch, at M+S
Analogue Round face Diamant detail Cushion strap Buckle fastening Bold numerals

Pure Cotton Turn-Up Sleeve Number Shirt, at Marks and Spencer
Smart and modern, this shirt in soft cotton features turn-up sleeves and assorted numbers detail. A practical easycare style

Autograph Wool Rich Slim Fit Suit Jacket, at Marks and Spencer
Slim fit jackets are cut closer for a cleaner sharper silhouette. Designed in a contemporary style, they give a longer, leaner appearance and a flattering fit. This hardwearing wool rich suit jacket is ideal for sixth form wear

Retro Plastic Sunglasses, at Marks and Spencer
With full UV protection and a flattering modern design, these smart sunglasses will see you through the summer in style

Bordeaux Rosé 2008 - Case of 12, at Mark & Spencers
Style: Dry Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Cabernet Franc Country of origin: France Closure: Screw cap Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 12 x 75cl. Alcohol by 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

M&S Money Direct 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 M&S Money Direct 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 and 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 Tesco:

• 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 M&S Money Direct UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.