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

Rational expectations and economic theory , RATIONAL EXPECTATIONS AND ECONO...

RATIONAL EXPECTATIONS AND ECONOMIC THEORY : We assumed above that the role of economic theory is not to provide quantitative predictions about the future. Suppose we assume ins

Microeconomics, when the demand function is 2Q-24+3P=0,find the marginal re...

when the demand function is 2Q-24+3P=0,find the marginal revenue when Q=3.

Utility-expenditure duality, Utility-Expenditure Duality: Consider the...

Utility-Expenditure Duality: Consider the minimisation of the  expenditures necessary to achieve a specified utility level. The solution for qi yields the compensated demand f

Illustrate the income changes and consumption choice, Illustrate the income...

Illustrate the income changes and consumption choice. Income Changes and Consumption Choice: This is of interest to see at how the consumer’s demand changes when we hold pri

Determinants of social demand for education - externalities, Determinants o...

Determinants of Social Demand for Education - Externalities The state has several objectives of which welfare and development of the people are most important. Promotion of cu

Explain the economic principle, Various studies have concluded that the dem...

Various studies have concluded that the demand for movie cinema attendance is responsive to advertising.  A study of one company, with movie cinemas in three neighbouring towns, sh

Construct anova design matrix - right reference cell coding, 1. Consider th...

1. Consider the following 2-way ANOVA Table with the group number listed in the cells of the table. Factor B=1 B=2 B=3 B=4

Gasoline rationing, Gasoline Rationing - In the year 1974 and again in ...

Gasoline Rationing - In the year 1974 and again in the year 1979, the government imposed price controls on gasoline. - This resulted in scarcity and gasoline was rationed.

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