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Optimal insurance under adverse selection and ambiguity aversion

Author

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  • Kostas Koufopoulos

    (University of Piraeus)

  • Roman Kozhan

    (University of Warwick)

Abstract

We consider a model of competitive insurance markets under asymmetric information with ambiguity-averse agents who maximize their maxmin expected utility. The interaction between asymmetric information and ambiguity aversion gives rise to some interesting results. First, for some parameter values, there exists a unique pooling equilibrium where both types of insurees buy full insurance. Second, in separating equilibria where the low risks are underinsured, their equilibrium contract involves more coverage than under standard expected utility. Finally, due to the endogeneity of commitment to the menus offered by insurers, our model has always an equilibrium which is unique (in terms of allocation) and interim incentive efficient (second-best).

Suggested Citation

  • Kostas Koufopoulos & Roman Kozhan, 2016. "Optimal insurance under adverse selection and ambiguity aversion," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 62(4), pages 659-687, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:joecth:v:62:y:2016:i:4:d:10.1007_s00199-015-0926-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s00199-015-0926-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wanda Mimra & Achim Wambach, 2019. "Contract withdrawals and equilibrium in competitive markets with adverse selection," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 67(4), pages 875-907, June.
    2. Luciano I. Castro & Zhiwei Liu & Nicholas C. Yannelis, 2017. "Ambiguous implementation: the partition model," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 63(1), pages 233-261, January.
    3. Gemmo, Irina & Browne, Mark J. & Gründl, Helmut, 2017. "Transparency aversion and insurance market equilibria," ICIR Working Paper Series 25/17, Goethe University Frankfurt, International Center for Insurance Regulation (ICIR).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Adverse selection; Ambiguity aversion; Endogenous commitment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies

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