Microeconomics, Microeconomics

Assignment Help:
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:- Microeconomics

Concepts of income and substitution effects, Concepts of Income and Substit...

Concepts of Income and Substitution Effects:   Change in demand for a good due to one unit change in price of that good for given prices and money income is known as own price

Homework, Do not submit more than 1 file in the Canvas submission link. A f...

Do not submit more than 1 file in the Canvas submission link. A few years ago peanut farmers in India experienced a super-bumper crop due to favorable weather conditions. Initially

...., Homework 4 Q1. Suppose a consumer has utility function (u) = xy where...

Homework 4 Q1. Suppose a consumer has utility function (u) = xy where x and y are amounts of two commodities that this consumer consume. Suppose this consumer’s income is $120, pri

Production, define and explain theory of production?

define and explain theory of production?

Administrative reforms - economic policy, ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS - ECONOMIC...

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS - ECONOMIC POLICY: During the last few decades, phenomenal changes are taking place at a fast rate in the field of science and technology as well as in

Assignment, suppose you have a coffee shop. list of fixed input and variabl...

suppose you have a coffee shop. list of fixed input and variable input for operating the shop. ques-2 describe the condition under in which labour treated as variable cost and whic

Increase probability or increase winnings, Would a risk loving person prefe...

Would a risk loving person prefer an increase in the chance of winning the lottery by 20% or an increase in the jackpot of 20%

Program spending, Program Spending: Government spending that is undertaken ...

Program Spending: Government spending that is undertaken to provide useful public programs. Program spending includes both transfer payments which are intended to supplement the in

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