Most people make a one off payment annually, although there is an option to pay monthly but overall it costs more, which is very unfair because if you chose to do this you obviously can't afford it in the first place.

Yea unfortunately after the age of 55 in the UK, your insurance will gradually increase year on year as statistically your are more likely to be involved in an accident, even if you have the cleanest of records..

My insurance didn't start to go up until I reached 65 years of age but the real hike was at 70 when I had to re-apply for my license despite me taking an IAM Road Smart test. I wanted to see what an examiner made of my driving.
I originally passed my test in 1967 then sat and passed my PCV license (buses and coaches) in June 2006.

Yea appreciate that, you can still be a good driver at a mature age, but regardless, hearing and sight will have deteriorated somewhat and the chance of having a medical condition are higher, just small circumstances that insurers will consider. I remember a lady in her 70's almost causing a huge accident, she was following me in a 30 zone and I spotted a speeding ambulance about a mile back. As it approached I indicated left and slowed down, she some how "missed" the giant fluorescent yellow speeding vehicle with intensely bright blue lights and ear piercing sirens and pulled out around me right into the path of the ambulance who came about half a foot from totaling her car. Just hope she was reported.

4 vehicles insured, 2 full coverage including collision, 2 liability and comprehensive (no collision) cost us under $1500 annually in Illinois.

Kevin