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 of Demand, the price elasticity for gizmos is known to be 1, if ...

the price elasticity for gizmos is known to be 1, if sellers of gizmos increase their

Herfendahl index, #qu3. An industry is composed of 20 firms, all with equal...

#qu3. An industry is composed of 20 firms, all with equal sales. The Herfendahl Index ratio in this industry is a. 1000 b. 500 c. 800 d. This cannot be determined from the informat

Indifference curves, Indifference Curves: Every consumption-leisure point,...

Indifference Curves: Every consumption-leisure point, (l; c), in the diagram is associated with a unique level of utility. The line II represents the individuals indifference curv

Labor , #questThe demand for and supply of labour in a certain industry are...

#questThe demand for and supply of labour in a certain industry are given by the equations Nd = 400 - 2w Ns = 240 + 2w Where Nd ( is the number of workers employers want to hire

Scacity, if a commodity has limited demand , should economist say that we s...

if a commodity has limited demand , should economist say that we still have a scarcity ?

Bank Balance sheet, I need help with filling out the bank balance sheet.

I need help with filling out the bank balance sheet.

Market demand curve, How to graph the market demand on tobacco taxing in ca...

How to graph the market demand on tobacco taxing in california

Mixed economics, Mixed Economic System and how can this system solve the ec...

Mixed Economic System and how can this system solve the economic problem, with example?

Concept of stock replenishment, Concept of Stock Replenishment  This c...

Concept of Stock Replenishment  This concept assumes that stock is always available whether there is demand or not. Consider the demand for constituent items, such as componen

Marginal rate of substitution, The marginal rate of substitution (MRS) quan...

The marginal rate of substitution (MRS) quantifies the quantity of one good a consumer will sacrifice to get more of the other good. – It is calculated by the slope of the indif

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