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

Factors responsible for policy failures, FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICY FAI...

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICY FAILURES: It is the subject of many official and academic studies to try and find out the reasons for the inability of many, in fact, most of th

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.

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

Gas laws, What is the resultant pressure if 2.7 mol of ideal gas at 273 K a...

What is the resultant pressure if 2.7 mol of ideal gas at 273 K and 2.51 atm in a closed container of constant volume is heated to 399 K

Export entrepreneurship and use appropriate technology, Export Entrepreneur...

Export Entrepreneurship: This need be developed by providing necessary facilities and making export an attractive and profitable business proposition. In this connection, it

Explain how a city council might help to decrease traffic, Use a supply and...

Use a supply and demand diagram to help explain how a city council might help to decrease traffic congestion in the city during weekends. pointing out that demand happens d

Visit to village panchayat for agricultural based project., related documen...

related documents, photos,paper for permission from court etc.

Demand and supply, (1) The demand curve for oranges is given by the equatio...

(1) The demand curve for oranges is given by the equation P = 5 – Q/200. The supply curve is given by P = Q/800. Q is measured in oranges per day and price is measured in dollars p

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