Consider an individual for whom utility is U = ln(I) There are two states of the world (G,B): Outcome G = 2000 with probability .4 Outcome B = 1000 with probability .6 W1 = 2000 L = 1000 π = .6 Option = invest $50 to lower π to .2 An insurance company is willing to offer a contract in which the individual pays a premium and gets full compensation for the loss (1000) in the bad state. a) With no insurance but the option of investing the $50, what is the utility of the individual? b) What is the first-best outcome for utility of the individual, insurance premium, and profits of the insurance company?

Consider an individual for whom utility is U = ln(I) There are two states of the world (G,B): Outcome G = 2000 with probability .4 Outcome B = 1000 with probability .6 W1 = 2000 L = 1000 π = .6 Option = invest $50 to lower π to .2 An insurance company is willing to offer a contract in which the individual pays a premium and gets full compensation for the loss (1000) in the bad state. a) With no insurance but the option of investing the $50, what is the utility of the individual? b) What is the first-best outcome for utility of the individual, insurance premium, and profits of the insurance company?

Microeconomic Theory

12th Edition

ISBN:9781337517942

Author:NICHOLSON

Publisher:NICHOLSON

Chapter7: Uncertainty

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 7.1P

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