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

Rent, explain two theories of economic rent

explain two theories of economic rent

Explain tragedy of commons-tax incidence-elasticity, 1. Explain- a. Trag...

1. Explain- a. Tragedy of commons b. Free rider problem c. Diminishing marginal utility d. Diseconomies of scale e. Tax incidence f.  Elasticity g. Gains from

Assignment, what is the theory of second best ? prove the theorem with the ...

what is the theory of second best ? prove the theorem with the help of a diagram .

What are some ways for increase revenue, You've been contacted by a local s...

You've been contacted by a local semi-professional team in Colfax, known locally as the Colfax Thunder. They play their home games at the HS baseball park for only $100 per month.

Calculate revenue, Question 1  (9 marks) During the 1990s, technologi...

Question 1  (9 marks) During the 1990s, technological advance reduced the cost of computer chips.  Explain, with the use of supply and demand diagrams, how the following mark

Economic instruments, Economic instruments Financial rewards, incentives an...

Economic instruments Financial rewards, incentives and penalties that operate automatically via market forces, to encourage beneficial behavior.

Rule of thumb method, Rule of Thumb Method Sir Ashby had been requeste...

Rule of Thumb Method Sir Ashby had been requested in 1960 by the Government of Nigeria to submit a report on manpower development in Nigeria. In doing so, in the absence of re

Theory of production and cost, • Production Function . The factors of produ...

• Production Function . The factors of production have to be combined in a particular manner to produce a certain product. Think of baking a cake which involves mixing fixed propor

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