Car insurance is a compulsory thing for every driver, and this can leave consumers open to getting ripped off. Studies have shown that some insurance firms are sneaking in unnecessarily high 'admin charges' for relatively simple tasks such as changing an address.

These admin charges can be as high as £25 for simply altering an address on a customer's policy. If the customer moves to a higher-risk area, it stands to reason that they will pay more, but even if there is no change in the price of the policy, they may still face charges.

Not all companies will charge for changes made mid-term, but the fact that some do may discourage customers from declaring any changes in their circumstances such as a new car, points on a licence or a change in marital status. This means that subsequent claims could be rendered invalid due to outdated information.

Your insurer needs to be kept up to date with any alterations to the specifications of your car such as alloy wheels, new performance parts or a bodykit. These can all affect your premium by either raising the value of your car or making it more attractive to thieves, thus becoming more of an insurance risk. Things such as fitting an alarm or immobiliser will more than likely lower your premiums, so these things also need to be declared.

Changes in address obviously need to be mentioned in order to receive documentation, but getting married, having children or changing jobs can also alter your premiums so your insurer needs to be aware of these too.

With the admin charges you may face, it can be tempting to 'forget' to contact your insurer. If you're worried about facing unwarranted fees, it may be worth switching to a provider who doesn't apply the charges.

Go online to compare car insurance policies and find out which insurance providers waive admin charges. Finding cheap car insurance doesn’t mean it won't cost you more later on. Check the small print for the admin fees before signing up.