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

Production function, Given the cost function as C=0.3Q3 -2Q2 + 13Q + 25, fi...

Given the cost function as C=0.3Q3 -2Q2 + 13Q + 25, find the supply function.uestion..

Determine the value of the marginal product of labor, Determine the value o...

Determine the value of the marginal product of labor. Equilibrium in the Labor Market Each firm will hire labor up to the point at that the value of the marginal product of

.marketing structures, discuss the implications of various market structure...

discuss the implications of various market structures(competitive and non-competitive)for price determination

Law of diminishing marginal utility, law of diminishing marginal utility it...

law of diminishing marginal utility its assumptions, limitation, and its practical importance

Forecasting, what are the forecasting techniques

what are the forecasting techniques

Slutsky theorm, explain slutsky theorm with graphical representation

explain slutsky theorm with graphical representation

Utility and consumer surplus, Jeremy is an economics student who loves hamb...

Jeremy is an economics student who loves hamburgers. He could eat any number of them for dinner, but he gets a really bad stomach ache after eating a certain amount. In fact, his u

Market failures - rationale in era of globalisation, Market failures (eve...

Market failures (even when they do not have international external effects) i) Self-fulfilling bank runs, government debt runs, currency crises. ii) Liquidation costs of li

Elasticity, why is elasticity important for beachfronf properties

why is elasticity important for beachfronf properties

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