economics

1. Demand for Insurance

Consider the utility function u(x) = log x.

(a) Set up the individual’s expected utility maximization problem. Derive the first-order

condition.

(b) Find the optimal insurance coverage, C

∗

, when insurance is actuarially fair (i.e. q = p).

(c) Find the optimal insurance coverage when q > p.

(d) Comparative Statics. Use the first order condition from part (a) to find change in

C

∗ = C(W, L, q, p) with respect to

(a) Probability

(b) Loss

(c) Wealth (Hint: consider IARA, CARA, DARA)

2. Supply of Insurance

Suppose there are two risk averse individuals, Cate and Dirk. They both face an identical

independent risky prospect: each individual has a 50% chance of earning $100 and a 50%

chance of earning $10. Let u(x) = log x be the utility function.

(a) Find Dirk’s expected utility from this prospect.

(b) Suppose Cate and Dirk decide to pool their incomes. They pay their realized income

into the pool and they each get half of the total income of the pool. Find Dirk’s

expected utility under the pooling scheme. (Hint: Since the two prospects are identical

and independent, there are four possible outcomes).(c) Show that Dirk’s expected utility under the pooling scheme is greater than his expected

utility without the pooling scheme.

(d) Compare the variance of the risky prospect with the pooling scheme and without the

pooling scheme.