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

What does the basic neoclassical model assume about market, What does the b...

What does the basic neoclassical, or traditional, model of economics assume about markets? It supposes that markets are perfectly competitive and smoothly functioning, and thos

What is endothermic reaction, What is endothermic reaction? 3. Draw a gener...

What is endothermic reaction? 3. Draw a generalised energy graph for an endothermic reaction.

What is market clearing level and public good, What is market clearing leve...

What is market clearing level and public good? Market clearing level is the price level current in the market at which consumer is willing to purchase a particular commodity f

Cardinal utility, what is cardinal utility. Please give an example

what is cardinal utility. Please give an example

What is joint stock, Q. What is Joint Stock? Joint Stock: A form of bus...

Q. What is Joint Stock? Joint Stock: A form of business in which company's assets are jointly divided among a large number of different individual owners, each of whom owns a s

Explain why each of the following factors may influence the, Explain why ea...

Explain why each of the following factors may influence the own price elasticity of demand for a commodity. (i) Consumer preferences, that is, whether consumers regard the commod

2nd year chapter 3, why s-block elements are powerful reducing agent?

why s-block elements are powerful reducing agent?

Economics, Ask questiowhat are the importance of the branches of economics

Ask questiowhat are the importance of the branches of economics

Welfare analysis, Welfare Analysis 1-Of the following four institution...

Welfare Analysis 1-Of the following four institutions for allocating apartment to different people at different prices   i.  The competitive market  ii.  A discriminatin

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