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, explain 6 factors that determine volume of production

explain 6 factors that determine volume of production

Market systems, what is a perfect competition and how does it differ from m...

what is a perfect competition and how does it differ from monopoly?

What is meant by minimum wage, What is meant by minimum wage?  The min...

What is meant by minimum wage?  The minimum wage is the minimum rate a worker can legally be paid (usually per hour) as opposed to wages that are examined by the forces of sup

Production, introduction of production

introduction of production

Indifference curves, Indifference curves present all possible combinations ...

Indifference curves present all possible combinations of market baskets that give the similar level of satisfaction to a person. Indifference Curves 1. Indifferen

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

Land, explain land as a part of the four factors of production

explain land as a part of the four factors of production

Name the five types of capital, Name the five types of capital. The fiv...

Name the five types of capital. The five types of capital are:  natural capital, manufactured capital, human capital, social capital and financial capital.

Fundamental unit of individual economic behaviour, Households: The fundamen...

Households: The fundamental unit of individual economic behaviour. Households offer labour supply to labour market, make consumer purchases,earn income (from employment and other s

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