insurance, Microeconomics

Assignment Help:
#question.Question: Answer all parts (a, b, c, d, e & f).

Consider the following insurance market. There are two states of the world, B and G, and two types of consumers, H and L, who have probabilities pH =0.5 and pL =0.25 (high and low risk) respectively of being in state B. They have common endowment e=(eG,eB) = (£900, £100). The individuals have expected utility preferences over state-contingent consumptions c=(cG,cB), with common utility function u(ci)=ln(ci), where i=B,G. Insurance firms are risk-neutral profit maximisers and offer contracts in exchange for the individuals’ endowments.

Suppose the market is competitive.

a) Outline the definition of a competitive equilibrium of this market and explain why every contract, offered by every firm, must earn zero profit in equilibrium. [7 marks]

b) Suppose the information concerning individuals’ types is symmetric, but void. It is commonly known, however, that the proportion of low risk consumers is 0.4. Derive the equilibrium set of contracts. [5 marks]

c) Find the equilibrium set of contracts when information is symmetric and perfect. [5 marks]

Now suppose that information is asymmetric; individuals know their own type but insurance firms cannot distinguish between types. (Note: there does exist an equilibrium set of contracts for this market. You may make use of this fact without proving it).

d) Explain why it must be that, if {cH,cL} is the equilibrium set of contracts, then
cH ? cL. [4 marks]

e) Explain and derive the equilibrium contract offered to high risk individuals. [3 marks]

f) Explain and derive the equilibrium contract offered to low risk individuals. [9 marks]

Related Discussions:- insurance

Indifference curve, what are the properties of indifference curve

what are the properties of indifference curve

MS6012 A01, Analyze the sustainable approach to waste reduction developed b...

Analyze the sustainable approach to waste reduction developed by the company you selected. Include the following: Its products Previous methods of production The way it implemented

The hypothesis of inflation-unemployment trade-off, The Hypothesis of Infla...

The Hypothesis of Inflation-Unemployment Trade-off : This hypothesis about formation of expectations is therefore known as the hypothesis of adaptive expectations. The hypothes

Determine the indirect utility function in brief, Determine the indirect ut...

Determine the indirect utility function in brief. Indirect Utility Function: The ordinary utility function, u(x), is described over the consumption set X and thus to as the

Explain advantage and comparative advantage differ, 1. Explain how abs...

1. Explain how absolute advantage and comparative advantage differ? 2. Give an example in which a person has an absolute advantage in doing some thing but another pers

Elasticity, elasticity concept in policy formulation

elasticity concept in policy formulation

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd