insurance, Microeconomics

Assignment Help:
#question.Question: Answer all parts (a, b, c, d, e & f).

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:- insurance

Theory, who propounded the pure international theory of trade?

who propounded the pure international theory of trade?

Oligopoly, characteristics and models of oligopoly by Sweezy,cournot and ed...

characteristics and models of oligopoly by Sweezy,cournot and edgework

Taxing system, On what kind of income is our taxing system based?

On what kind of income is our taxing system based?

Curvature of the iso-quant, Curvature of the Iso-quant: An iso-qunat i...

Curvature of the Iso-quant: An iso-qunat is convex to the origin. This is so because as more and more units labour are employed, the producer would prefer to give up less and

Global Competition, The distinction between supply and the quantity supplie...

The distinction between supply and the quantity supplied is best made by saying that

Reasons for the existence of external economies of scale, Question : (a...

Question : (a) Using a simple example, diffrence between inter - industry trade and intra - industry trade? (b) Illustrate the reasons for the existence of external economie

Need Econ Help, Two firms produce a pollutant called Q. The total costs of...

Two firms produce a pollutant called Q. The total costs of reducing emissions of Q are as follows for Firm 1 and Firm 2, respectively: TC1=10+100Q12 TC2=20 + 50Q22. This means tha

When does deadweight loss occur to society, When does deadweight loss occur...

When does deadweight loss occur to society? Applying consumer and producer surplus the efficiency costs of a tax: A tax causes a deadweight loss to society, since less the g

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