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

Aaa, Ask quesIn your own words describe how a market would adjust in situat...

Ask quesIn your own words describe how a market would adjust in situations of: a) Excess Demand b) Excess Supply c) Equilibrium As a follow up you might think about what effects

Components of a time series, 1-      a-  What are the five components of a...

1-      a-  What are the five components of a time series? b- Briefly explain how you would estimate each component. c- What does deterministc trend mean?  How do you detren

Determine the profit maximizing price and quantity, Determine the profit ma...

Determine the profit maximizing price and quantity A firm has segmented its market into the following demand functions: P1 = 500 – 50Q     P2 = 500 – 20Q     with a cost fu

Enzyme activity mechanism, The enzymes are highly specific in nature. Durin...

The enzymes are highly specific in nature. During enzymatic reaction the enzyme is so built that it binds to the substrate in a specific manner. The stepwise mechanism of enzyme ca

Theory of cosumer behaviour - basic themes, THEORY OF COSUMER  BEHAVIOUR: ...

THEORY OF COSUMER  BEHAVIOUR: BASIC THEMES: We elaborated two classical theories (viz. Cardinal Approach and Ordinal Approach). In ordinal approach discussing the indifference

Dialectic inquiry, Dialectic Inquir y It is a technique for gr...

Dialectic Inquir y It is a technique for group decision making in which members are forced to "debate" both sides of a matter. Dialectic inquiry forces consideration o

Market structures, illustrate and discuss the implications of various marke...

illustrate and discuss the implications of various markets structures(competitive and non-competitive) for price dertimation

Computers, During the 1990s, technological advance reduced the cost of comp...

During the 1990s, technological advance reduced the cost of computer chips. Explain, with the use of supply and demand diagrams, how the following markets are affected in terms of

Why the productivity growth slowdown of america in 1973, The Productivity G...

The Productivity Growth Slowdown However in 1973 steady trend of climbing rates of productivity growth stopped cold. Between 1973 and 1995 measured growth in output per worker

Homework, the difference between an lc3 and other types of businesses is th...

the difference between an lc3 and other types of businesses is that

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