Question for insurance Dopers: Why the screwy payment schedules?

Why is it that insurance policies seem to have the screwiest payment schedules? In my experience I’ve usually had to pay every other month. Or with my current company it’s a two-month down payment, followed by four monthly payments, followed by two months without payment. These last two free months, presumably, are to give me time to save for the next 6-month renewal, when another two-month payment will be expected.

So what’s up with that? Since insurance tends to be the biggest expense after housing and car payments, it would be a lot more convenient for many people to have the bills come once a month, like most other things.

IANAIS…But you are paying on a total. If you could pay it all at once you would only have one payment. I pay 5 months, have a month break and then 5 more.