Car insurance excess represented an unexpected expense for many UK adults in the last 12 months, new research has shown.

Carried out by M&S Money, the study revealed ten per cent faced these extra costs in 2011, with the additional fee typically amounting to £293.

According to the findings, this payment is just one of a number of unforeseen charges individuals may have to contend with each year.

Indeed, it was shown that the average UK family will need to fork out £1,800 in unexpected costs every 12 months, with car repair bills and school day trips representing the most expensive outlays.

A rise in motor insurance cost, it was found, was encountered by 34 per cent of survey respondents and came to an average of £208.

Paul Stokes, head of savings at M&S Money, noted: "The old saying 'it never rains but it pours' can often be true when it comes to unexpected costs."