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

Affect the size of the price elasticity of demand, Problem: i) What mig...

Problem: i) What might be the possible causes of inflation according to economic theory? ii) Taking stable prices and full employment as two macroeconomic objectives of gov

Problem Solving, Regardless of the market structure, oligopolist and the mo...

Regardless of the market structure, oligopolist and the monopolist maximize their TR when MR=0. Do you agree?

Organic protons and electrons, Organic biochemistry is really as well as bi...

Organic biochemistry is really as well as biochemistry. This is because the as well as atom is the central source of all existing creature's substances. 8 protons and 8 electro

Individual deman curves for two perfectly competitive market, Individual de...

Individual demand curves for two perfectly competitive market TC1=10q1+1/2q1^2+100 = firm 1 TC2=10q2+q2^2+100

Calculate the profit maximizing price, Suppose you have 10 individuals with...

Suppose you have 10 individuals with values {$1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10}.  Your marginal cost of production is $2.50.  What is the profit-maximizing price?  Using this

Input substitution when the input price change, Input Substitution When the...

Input Substitution When the Input Price Change  Isoquants and Isocosts and Production Function The minimum cost combination can be written as: - Minimum cost

The Invisible Hand and Externalities, In markets, the invisible hand alloca...

In markets, the invisible hand allocates resources efficiently a. in all cases b. when there are positive externalities, but not when there are negative externalities c. when there

Demand-pull inflation, The average price level has increased at a relativel...

The average price level has increased at a relatively rapid rate since 2008 even though the deep recession that UK experienced in 2008/09. The growth in the price level has been dr

Stoichiometry, 2ALBr3+3K2so4--->6KBr+1Al2(so4)3

2ALBr3+3K2so4--->6KBr+1Al2(so4)3

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