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

Calculate price and average total cost atc, 1. Through graphs describe the ...

1. Through graphs describe the relationship between the price, P , and the average total cost, ATC , for a firm in perfect competition when it earns an economic profit; earns a n

Risk and gambling, John has a utility function given by U(M) = M0.5, where ...

John has a utility function given by U(M) = M0.5, where M represents an amount of cash prize in a game. If John wins, with the probability of 0.2, he will get $900; otherwise, he g

Consumer surplus, using necessary and sufficient condition explain consumer...

using necessary and sufficient condition explain consumer surplus diagrammically and mathematically?

CIRCULAR FLOW OF INCOME, DRAW A SIMPLE CIRCULAR FLOW DIAGRAM AND DISCUSS BR...

DRAW A SIMPLE CIRCULAR FLOW DIAGRAM AND DISCUSS BRIEFLY THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN AN INJECTION INTO THE FLOW AND A LEAKAGE FROM IT

Long run equilibrium, 1. Suppose that a monopolistically competitive firm m...

1. Suppose that a monopolistically competitive firm must build a production facility in order to produce a product.  The fixed cost of this facility is FC = $24.  Also, the firm ha

Dividend, Dividend The distribution of an organizations earnings to it...

Dividend The distribution of an organizations earnings to its owners-the stockholders. Cash dividends are most ordinary, although partition can be issued in other forms, such

Bank for international settlements, Bank for International Settlements: An ...

Bank for International Settlements: An international financial regulatory organization based in Switzerland, Bernethat designs international regulations regarding capital adequacy

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