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

Kolbey:s reaction, why can methane not be prepared by this reaction

why can methane not be prepared by this reaction

Market structures, implications of market structures on price determination...

implications of market structures on price determination

What is capital requirements directive, In relation to banking, Basel II, t...

In relation to banking, Basel II, the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD) was implemented in January 2008. The CRD requires stricter capital treatment of a bank's risk transfer op

Describe the theory of effective demand, Q. Describe the Theory of effectiv...

Q. Describe the Theory of effective demand ? Effective Demand:Theory of effective demand was developed separately in the 1930s by Michal Kalecki andJohn Maynard Keynes. It eluc

Neutron diffraction, chemistry assignments ,  Neutron diffraction supplemen...

chemistry assignments ,  Neutron diffraction supplements x-ray diffraction and is particularly helpful in locating hydrogen atoms. An x-ray beam is scattered primarily as a result

Utility functions, can you help me answer an economics question

can you help me answer an economics question

Tax incidence, if the inverse demand curve is p=120-Q and the marginal cost...

if the inverse demand curve is p=120-Q and the marginal cost constant at 10, how does the monopoly a specific tax of 10 per unif affect the monopoly optimum and welfare of consumer

Economics, Economics- Definition Economics is the study of how societie...

Economics- Definition Economics is the study of how societies utilize limited resources to make valuable commodities and allocate them among diverse people. Microeconomics h

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