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

Slutsky theorem -mathematical presentation, Slutsky Theorem - Mathematical ...

Slutsky Theorem - Mathematical Presentation: We already know from the first order conditions of utility Maximisation that,   where D ij is the co-factor of the ith ro

Transactions and propose at least two strategies, a) Examine at least three...

a) Examine at least three (3) possible areas for the industry that could lead to transaction costs, and describe each in detail.   b) Speculate about the behaviour that could

#title., factor afecting the demand for durable product

factor afecting the demand for durable product

Suggestions - rationale in era of globalisation, Suggestions For the l...

Suggestions For the last 60 years the Bretton Woods institutions have played an essential role in ensuring global financial stability and fostering economic growth and develop

Quality control - export strategy, Quality Control: Standards and sta...

Quality Control: Standards and standardisation, quality systems, certification and inspections, measurement systems, testing laboratories, their accreditation and calibration

What are constant returns to scale, What are constant returns to scale? ...

What are constant returns to scale? Constant returns to scale: A constant return to scale (CRS) implies that doubling inputs precisely double outputs, which is frequently a

Economics, What are the factors that producers in the society may take into...

What are the factors that producers in the society may take into consideration when deciding on the what to produce,how to produce and for whom ?

Economic Growth, the prevention of major swings in economic activity cn be ...

the prevention of major swings in economic activity cn be handled most easily by the financial or government sector?

Effects of advertising on the demand curve, The Effects of Advertising on t...

The Effects of Advertising on the Demand Curve: Advertising targets to: • Change the slope of the demand curve which means make it more inelastic. This is done by generat

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