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

Describe the change in returns to scale & factor proportion, Before explain...

Before explaining returns to scale it will be instructive to make clear the distinction between change in the scale and changes in factor proportions. The difference between the ch

Discuss shortnote on morality and ethics , Economics and Ethics : Morality ...

Economics and Ethics : Morality and ethics are powerful motivations to behavior.  Thouh, economists suppose that rationality is a function of demonstrable self-interest.  That mean

Transition elements, why d block elements are called inner transition eleme...

why d block elements are called inner transition elements?

Types of unemployment, Question 1: a) Describe the different types of u...

Question 1: a) Describe the different types of unemployment that exist. b) Critically examine how monetary policy will be used to deal with inflation. c) Critically deter

Document design, Document Design It refers to the overall "look" and d...

Document Design It refers to the overall "look" and design rather than the content of a document. Specific elements such as white space, limited paragraph indentations, length

Demands for the two market are P1=15-, demand for two market are P1=15-Q1&P...

demand for two market are P1=15-Q1&P2=25-Q2.the monopoly TC is C=5+3(Q1+Q2).What are ,output,profit&MR if the monopolist can price disc? riminate

Mr A, true or false ,It is not possible for the compensated own price elast...

true or false ,It is not possible for the compensated own price elasticity to equal the uncompensated own price elasticity.uestion #Minimum 100 words accepted#

Inflation, Inflation is not possible under the gold standard.” Is this stat...

Inflation is not possible under the gold standard.” Is this statement true, false, or uncertain? Explain your answer.

Profit after tax, #queIn a particular year, an organization earns cash reve...

#queIn a particular year, an organization earns cash revenues of Rs. 2,00,000. Total material and labour expenses are Rs. 1,09,000. The depreciation claimed on the equipment is Rs.

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