When you're shopping at Marks & Spensers 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 M&S Money Direct. Offering everything from savings accounts and credit cards, to Property Insurance and Motor 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 M&S Money Direct. 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 M&S Money Direct, you would have been in good hands; within just a short time of the volcanic ash disruptions, visitors to the M&S Money Direct 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."

There are lots of ways to save money using M&S Money Direct. Not least of these is Marks & Spencer Standard Motor Insurance. With M&S Money Direct you can keep the cost of your Motor 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 Motor Insurance cover from M&S Money Direct, which also has other features.

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

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 and 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 Property Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Highlight Stripe Polo shirt, at Marks & Spenser
Stylishly smart casual, this polo shirt is made from pure cotton so it's soft, breathable and comfortable to wear

Oodles of Doodles Activity Book, at Marks and Spencer
Have fun completing this colourful, action-packed sticker book with 60 stickers. Fan-doodle-tastic fun!

Japanese Floral Cushion With Recycled Filling, at Mark's & Spencer
Floral design 50 x 50cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Leather Large Collar Trapeze Jacket, at Marks & Spencers
Beautifully designed and luxurious, this large collar trapeze jacket is made from real leather. A sophisticated, contemporary look

Autograph Round Face Link Strap Watch, at MarksandSpencer
Round face Analogue display Link strap

Limited Collection Stud Detail Leggings, at M+S
Part of Limited Collection's London Crowd trend. A quintessentially English look featuring quirky prints in monochrome with bright pops of colour. Kitsch styling and playful designs give this trend a fun London feel

Gentle Fitness CD, at Marks and Spencer
Audio CD, Marks & Spencer

Autograph Leather Pleated Pumps, at Marks & Spencer
Pointed toe Pleated design Slip on Low heel Heel height: 15mm

Autograph Firm Control Chevron Stripe Multiway Body, at Marks and Spencer
Look slimmer in seconds! This firm control body gently shapes your figure all over for a smoother, sleeker silhouette. The versatile multiway style can be worn strapless, halterneck, cross back or one-shoulder

Pure Linen Pleated Front Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Feminine and elegant, this sophisticated linen shirt is beautifully designed and cut for a flattering shape and features a stunning pleated detail

Petite Knee Length Pencil Skirt, at Mark & Spencers
Sleek and stylish, this skirt makes a fashionable, flattering choice. Specially designed and perfectly proportioned for the petite frame

Autograph Pure Cotton Sequin Detail Cardigan, at Mark's & Spencer
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

Glass Ball Collection - Floor Lamp, at Marks & Spenser
Chrome plated Glass ball detail Square base Cylinder shade H154 x D38cm Bulb: 100W BC GLS This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more , Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Leather Soho Bag, at Marks & Spencers
Luxurious and beautiful, this chain handle bag is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. It's made from matt and glossy leather, and is useful and practical as well as being a highly desirable fashion accessory

Collezione Single Lock Leather Briefcase, at Marks & Spencer
Sophisticated and luxurious, this leather briefcase is inspired by Italian style

Wool Blend Single Breasted Mid Length Jacket, at M+S
Smart and stylish, this wool blend jacket makes a fashionable and practical choice

Black Gloss Salt Mill, at Marks & Spencer
High gloss finish Screw top design Can be used for coarse sea salt Adjustable for fine or coarse grind Approx size: L4.5 x W4.5 x H19.5cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Single Pleat Crease Resistant Formal Trousers, at Marks n Spencer
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

Flitter Text Wedding Card, at Marks&Spencer
Cover text: Wedding Inside message: Blank for your own message Approx size: 178 x 126mm

Fudge the Dog Multipack of Mini Cards, at Marks & Spenser
Cover text: design 1 - thank you, design 2 - hello there, design 3 - thank you, design 4 - with love Inside message: blank for your own message 8 cards, 4 designs Approx size: 95 x 80mm

Older Girls' Sunglasses, at Marks & Spencer
Fashionable and fab, these plain sunglasses give 100% UV protection for safer style in the sun

3 Pairs of Fine Merino Blend Socks, at Marks and Spencer
Wool blend yarn makes these socks soft, breathable and absorbent to keep feet warm, dry and comfy

Portfolio Panelled Ponte Pencil Skirt, at Mark & Spensers
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

Autograph Luxury Leather Holdall, at Mark's & Spencer
This stylish and practical luxury leather holdall is ideal for business or weekend travel. It has plenty of space for all your essential items and has strong double handles and shoulder strap

Younger Boys' Hat & Mittens Set, at Marks & Spencer
Snug and cosy, this hat and mittens set is a perfect choice for chilly weather

Enamel Garlic Pot, at Marks & Spensers
Detachable lid with handle 'Garlic' motif Dimensions: H13 x Diam 10cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Portfolio Cotton Rich Jersey Zip Jacket, at Marks & Spensers
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

Quick Iron Short Sleeve Multi Stripe Shirt, at Marks & Spencer
Stylish and innovative, this multi stripe easycare shirt is quick and easy to iron for a smart crisp look

Loop & Feather Comb Headpiece, at Marks & Spensers
Keep tumbling tresses off your face with this stylish loop and feather slide in comb

Footglove™ Leather Square Toe Ankle Boots, at Marks & Spencers
Square toe Centre stitch detail Side zip fastening Ankle high Mid heel Heel height: 55mm Footglove™ soles are comfortable, highly flexible and lightweight Comes in sizes 3-8, including half sizes

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 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.