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

Demand pull inflation and cost-push inflation, Demand Pull Inflation and Co...

Demand Pull Inflation and Cost-Push Inflation: Demand Pull Inflation: It describes a sustained increase in the general price level that is caused by a permanent increase in n

Price adjustments under fixed exchange rate, PRICE ADJUSTMENTS UNDER FIXED ...

PRICE ADJUSTMENTS UNDER FIXED EXCHANGE RATE: In a flexible exchange rate regime trade deficits (surpluses) are automatically corrected by a depreciation (appreciation) of a co

Aggregate demand, Aggregate Demand When referred to in the circumstanc...

Aggregate Demand When referred to in the circumstance of GNP or GDP, aggregate demand dealings the sum of what is spent by various parties in the United States for product and

Describe the term price elasticity of demand, Problem : (a) Describe th...

Problem : (a) Describe the law of demand and the factors affecting demand. (b) llustrate and  Explain how demand of a commodity will change if there is a tax on that product

Foreign trade, FOREIGN TRADE: Interdependence between the economies of...

FOREIGN TRADE: Interdependence between the economies of the world has increased multifold. External sector in the economy has gained primeimportance. Both exports and imports

What is the price elasticity of demand for electricity, 1. On Wednesday the...

1. On Wednesday the 16 th , 2008 an enormous avalanche knocked out the lines that transmitted electricity from a hydroelectric dam to Juneau, Alaska. This eliminated Juneau's prima

Market structures and monopoly, waht are the characteristics of perfect com...

waht are the characteristics of perfect competetion market

Equilibrium price , determinate equilibrium price and quantity. if Qd=7-1/2...

determinate equilibrium price and quantity. if Qd=7-1/2p AND Qs=1/4P-1/2

Production vs cost - resource flow, With current technology, suppose a firm...

With current technology, suppose a firm is producing 400 loaves of bread daily. Assume that the least cost combination of resources in producing those loaves is $180 ( 5 units of

Balancing formulas, How do I balance this chemical equation: MgSO4*5H2O

How do I balance this chemical equation: MgSO4*5H2O

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