Cost of living alert: 16 million Britons slapped with 'unexpected' £5k bill over past year

Some 29 per cent of respondents reported encountering these large, unforeseen expenses during the previous year.

The study suggests that many households are being left exposed when sudden costs arise.

Furthermore, 71 per cent said they turned to savings or investments to cover at least part of the financial burden.

Millions of others, however, were forced to seek alternative funding as rising prices continued to erode disposable income.

The data reveals sharp differences in how age groups responded to these pressures. Around 5.6 million people relied on credit cards or personal loans to manage the costs, rising to 47 per cent among those aged 35-44.

Family and friends were used as financial support by about four million people, representing 26 per cent of those affected.

Younger adults depended most heavily on this route, with almost half of 18-24 year-olds seeking support from loved ones.

The report indicates that many younger households lack the emergency savings needed to deal with sudden financial shocks. Researchers found a clear link between age and reliance on informal borrowing.

Notably, the pressures extend beyond conventional borrowing, with many people taking steps that could undermine their long-term financial resilience.

Approximately 2.4 million adults cancelled or paused insurance protection policies, including private medical insurance, life cover and income protection.

One in five people under 34 had abandoned their insurance cover, suggesting younger households were again the most affected by rising financial demands.

Additionally, 14 per cent of all respondents reduced their pension contributions to free up additional monthly income.

Property-related measures were used by 12 per cent of those surveyed, including remortgaging or arranging mortgage payment holidays.

These steps carried significant long-term implications but were taken by households seeking immediate financial relief.

The report notes that the willingness to forgo key financial protections reflects the intensity of pressure felt across many parts of the country.

Jon Carroll, executive director at Howden Life and Health, expressed concern about the trends highlighted in the research.

"With rising living costs and wages failing to keep pace, it's understandable that many people are struggling to cope with unexpected expenses. But it's really worrying to see so many turning to credit, friends and family, or even cancelling their insurance to make ends meet.

Protection policies are there to provide a safety net when the unexpected happens - giving up that cover can leave people far more financially vulnerable in the long run."

Mr Carroll said households should seek professional advice before making major decisions affecting their long-term security.

He added: "Advice-led decisions can make a real difference to long-term insurability and overall financial resilience."

He urged families to explore alternatives before cancelling policies altogether.

Mr Carroll explained: "By speaking with an adviser, households can often find more affordable ways to stay protected - whether that's switching to a better value provider, adjusting levels of cover, or exploring alternative products - rather than losing protection altogether."

Howden Life and Health said maintaining reduced cover is typically more beneficial than cancelling protection completely.

The firm encourages consumers to review current policies and compare market options before making permanent changes.