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

Elasticity, You estimate that the price elasticity of demand for one-acre p...

You estimate that the price elasticity of demand for one-acre plots in Lusaka is -1.5 and that income elasticity of demand is 5. Land owners intend to increase the price of a one-a

Balancing needs and resources, Balancing Needs and Resources planning ...

Balancing Needs and Resources planning is a balancing act. It involves the balancing of needs with resources towards set goals. Likewise, educational planning involves the bal

Agriculture development, Visit to a village panchayat for agriculture base...

Visit to a village panchayat for agriculture based project

Factors of production, The process of production needs several inputs. Thes...

The process of production needs several inputs. These inputs are known as the factors of production. In most cases, firms own some of the factors of production while some have to b

Assignment, If the Bank of England wanted to discourage investment spending...

If the Bank of England wanted to discourage investment spending and reduce aggregate demand, it could?

Labour economics, Consider the following flow (in thousands of people) betw...

Consider the following flow (in thousands of people) between the various labour market states in a particular month:

Public-private partnerships, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):A form of f...

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):A form of financing public investment and sometimes the direct provision of public services, in that finance is provided by private investors (in

Price determination explain briefly about it by then, about the price deter...

about the price determination with the held of diagramatic explanation numerical explanation related to the concept

Describe excess profit criterion, Question 1 Discuss the short-run cost-ou...

Question 1 Discuss the short-run cost-output relations Question 2 Write a short note on pure competition Question 3 Describe excess profit criterion Question 4 Disc

Theory of firm, critically analysis firm theory of profit maximization?

critically analysis firm theory of profit maximization?

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