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

Cost function, how do minimum unit costs change with changes in fixed cost?...

how do minimum unit costs change with changes in fixed cost?

Steps of the basic analytical framework in modern economics, What are the s...

What are the steps of the basic analytical framework in Modern Economics? Framework is very significant to master this fundamental analytical framework, particularly, these fiv

Derivation of ordinary demand function, Derivation Of Ordinary Demand Funct...

Derivation Of Ordinary Demand Function: Suppose,   and q 1  = (Q 1 1 , Q 2 1 ,..., Q n 1 )T. Let M0 be the money income and p 0 q 0  = M 0  and p 0 q 0 ≥ p 0 q 1 , where p

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..

Private and social benefits, Private and Social Benefits Private benef...

Private and Social Benefits Private benefits are those which accrue to an individual. They may be both monetary and non monetary, direct and indirect. Earnings of an individua

Calculate real gdp using the chained-dollar method, Why in 1996 did the BEA...

Why in 1996 did the BEA switch to calculate real GDP using the "chained-dollar method" from the "constant-dollar method"? The BEA made the switch from the constant-dollar metho

Micro, The prevention of major swings in economic activity can be handled m...

The prevention of major swings in economic activity can be handled most easily by the

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