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The Impact of Insurance Prices on Decision Making Biases: An Experimental Analysis

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  • Susan K. Laury
  • Melayne Morgan McInnes

Abstract

This article tests whether the use of endogenous risk categorization by insurers enables consumers to make better‐informed decisions even if they do not choose to purchase insurance. We do so by adding a simple insurance market to an experimental test of optimal (Bayesian) updating. In some sessions, no insurance is offered. In others, actuarially fair insurance prices are posted, and a subset of subjects is allowed to purchase this insurance. We find significant differences in the decision rules used depending on whether one observes insurance prices. Although the majority of choices correspond to Bayesian updating, the incidence of optimal decisions is higher in sessions with an insurance option. Most subjects given the option to purchase actuarially fair insurance choose to do so. However, fewer subjects purchase insurance when the probability of a loss is higher.

Suggested Citation

  • Susan K. Laury & Melayne Morgan McInnes, 2003. "The Impact of Insurance Prices on Decision Making Biases: An Experimental Analysis," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 70(2), pages 219-233, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jrinsu:v:70:y:2003:i:2:p:219-233
    DOI: 10.1111/1539-6975.00057
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    Cited by:

    1. Johannes G. Jaspersen & Vijay Aseervatham, 2017. "The Influence of Affect on Heuristic Thinking in Insurance Demand," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 84(1), pages 239-266, March.
    2. Richard J. Butler, 2021. "Information access and homeowners insurance purchases," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 46(4), pages 649-663, October.
    3. Glenn W. Harrison & Jia Min Ng, 2019. "Behavioral insurance and economic theory: A literature review," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 22(2), pages 133-182, July.
    4. Jean Desrochers & J. Francois Outreville, 2013. "Uncertainty, Ambiguity and Risk Taking: an experimental investigation of consumer behavior and demand for insurance," ICER Working Papers 10-2013, ICER - International Centre for Economic Research.
    5. Johannes G. Jaspersen, 2016. "Hypothetical Surveys And Experimental Studies Of Insurance Demand: A Review," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 83(1), pages 217-255, January.
    6. Yang Ann Shawing, 2015. "Measuring Self-Service Technology Latent Difficulties: Insurance Decisions on Utilitarian and Hedonic Influences," Asia-Pacific Journal of Risk and Insurance, De Gruyter, vol. 9(1), pages 1-33, January.
    7. Céline Grislain-Letrémy & Sabine Lemoyne de Forges, 2011. "Coordinating Flood Insurance and Collective Prevention Policies: A Fiscal Federalism Perspective," Working Papers 2011-07, Center for Research in Economics and Statistics.

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