5. Consider a decision-maker who expects to have a car accident with chance ; if this occurs, he will incur $L in damages. He can purchase as much auto insurance, q, as he likes, at a price of p per dollar of coverage: this means that if he pays pq upfront (as the insurance premium), he'll receive a payment of q from the insurance company if an accident occurs. (a) Write out his expected utility from purchasing insurance level q, assuming a utility-of- wealth function u(w) and initial wealth wo. 1 (b) Show that the optimal level of insurance, q, solves u' (wo - L+ (1 − p)q)) u' (wo - pq) P(1 - π) π(1-P) (c) Now assume that u(w) = 1- e-aw, where a > 0 (this is known as a "CARA", or "constant absolute risk aversion", utility function; a parametrizes risk aversion). Solve explicitly for the optimal insurance, and show that it does not depend on wealth.
5. Consider a decision-maker who expects to have a car accident with chance ; if this occurs, he will incur $L in damages. He can purchase as much auto insurance, q, as he likes, at a price of p per dollar of coverage: this means that if he pays pq upfront (as the insurance premium), he'll receive a payment of q from the insurance company if an accident occurs. (a) Write out his expected utility from purchasing insurance level q, assuming a utility-of- wealth function u(w) and initial wealth wo. 1 (b) Show that the optimal level of insurance, q, solves u' (wo - L+ (1 − p)q)) u' (wo - pq) P(1 - π) π(1-P) (c) Now assume that u(w) = 1- e-aw, where a > 0 (this is known as a "CARA", or "constant absolute risk aversion", utility function; a parametrizes risk aversion). Solve explicitly for the optimal insurance, and show that it does not depend on wealth.
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
Related questions
Question

Transcribed Image Text:5. Consider a decision-maker who expects to have a car accident with chance ; if this occurs, he
will incur $L in damages. He can purchase as much auto insurance, q, as he likes, at a price
of p per dollar of coverage: this means that if he pays pq upfront (as the insurance premium),
he'll receive a payment of q from the insurance company if an accident occurs.
(a) Write out his expected utility from purchasing insurance level q, assuming a utility-of-
wealth function u(w) and initial wealth wo.
1
(b) Show that the optimal level of insurance, q, solves
u' (wo - L + (1 - p)q))
u' (wo - pq)
=
p(1 - π)
T(1-P)
(c) Now assume that u(w) 1 - e-aw, where a > 0 (this is known as a "CARA", or
"constant absolute risk aversion", utility function; a parametrizes risk aversion). Solve
explicitly for the optimal insurance, and show that it does not depend on wealth.
Expert Solution

This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
Step by step
Solved in 3 steps with 2 images

Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Recommended textbooks for you


Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134078779
Author:
Karl E. Case, Ray C. Fair, Sharon E. Oster
Publisher:
PEARSON

Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134870069
Author:
William G. Sullivan, Elin M. Wicks, C. Patrick Koelling
Publisher:
PEARSON


Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134078779
Author:
Karl E. Case, Ray C. Fair, Sharon E. Oster
Publisher:
PEARSON

Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134870069
Author:
William G. Sullivan, Elin M. Wicks, C. Patrick Koelling
Publisher:
PEARSON

Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781305585126
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning

Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Economics
ISBN:
9781337106665
Author:
Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Michael R. Ward, Mike Shor
Publisher:
Cengage Learning

Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Economics
ISBN:
9781259290619
Author:
Michael Baye, Jeff Prince
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education