Once the coverage is in effect, payment is always due in advance.
In most, not all, cases, payment for at least the first month is required with application. In addition to a check, many insurers allow a credit card payment. If there is an application fee, that is always required with application and is charged immediately.
For initial premium payment, most insurers do not cash the check or charge the credit card until approval is made. If, however, the insurer's practice is to make the charge upon receipt, the entire premium payment is refunded if you are not accepted or if you cancel your application.
Most insurers do not have an application fee. If there is one, the application fee is not refunded if you cancel and in some cases is not refunded even if you are declined.
After the initial payment, there is variation between companies, but all allow a monthly bank draft from a bank account to which they give various marketing names. Many insurers also allow an automated monthly credit card charge.
Monthly billing, i.e., mailing a check every month, is not common because late payments can end in billing confusion on the part of those policyholders who can't properly keep track of the late payment notices they keep receiving because they pay late every month, habitually abusing the grace period. The late payment grace period is typically 30 days.
If you prefer to mail a check, payments can usually be made every quarter, six months, or annually. There is usually no premium reduction for paying these greater amounts in advance.