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

The demand curve of monopoly, when does price and output determined in the ...

when does price and output determined in the unregulated monopoly

Cropping pattern over time, Cropping Pattern Over Time: The dominance ...

Cropping Pattern Over Time: The dominance of food crops and among food crops that of rice and wheat only states the existing cropping patterns. It is important to study the tr

Explain how the price system eliminates a shortage, Explain how the price s...

Explain how the price system eliminates a shortage. A deficiency means that quantity demanded is greater as compared to quantity supplied. This will lead to upward pressure on pr

Role of managerial economist, Explain the role of managerial ecnomist in ki...

Explain the role of managerial ecnomist in kissan &dipsy fro ub group

Supply and demand model, The vast majority of corn and soybeans produced in...

The vast majority of corn and soybeans produced in the United States is grown in the Midwestern states including: Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. This region experienc

Natural monopoly, Introduction for a natural monopoly assignment

Introduction for a natural monopoly assignment

Marginal cost curve, "Dr. Arata Kochi, the World Health Organisation malari...

"Dr. Arata Kochi, the World Health Organisation malaria chief,... [says that] eradication is counterproductive. With enough money, he said, current tools like nets, medicines and D

Problem of interest for several reasons in cost minimization, What are the ...

What are the problems of interest for several reasons in cost minimization? Cost Minimization: A significant implication of the firm choosing a profit-maximizing producti

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