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On the Demand for Portfolio Insurance

Author

Listed:
  • Andy Fodor
  • James S. Doran
  • James M. Carson
  • David P. Kirch

Abstract

While insurers manage underwriting risk with various methods including reinsurance, insurers increasingly manage asset risk with options, futures, and other derivatives. Previous research shows that buyers of portfolio insurance pay considerably for downside protection. We add to this literature by providing the first evidence on the cost of portfolio insurance, the payoff to portfolio insurance, and the relative demand for portfolio insurance across VIX levels. We find that the demand for portfolio insurance is relatively high at low levels of VIX, suggesting purchasers demand more downside protection when this protection is cheap on an absolute basis (but expensive on a relative basis). We also provide the first evidence on the hedging behavior of specific investor classes and show that the demand for portfolio insurance is driven by retail investors (individuals) who buy costly insurance from institutional investors. Results are consistent with other types of paradoxical insurance‐buying behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Andy Fodor & James S. Doran & James M. Carson & David P. Kirch, 2013. "On the Demand for Portfolio Insurance," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 16(2), pages 167-193, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:rmgtin:v:16:y:2013:i:2:p:167-193
    DOI: 10.1111/rmir.12009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tawil, Dima, 2018. "Risk-adjusted performance of portfolio insurance and investors’ preferences," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 10-18.
    2. Arjun Chatrath & Rohan A. Christie‐David & Hong Miao & Sanjay Ramchander, 2019. "Losers and prospectors in the short‐term options market," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(6), pages 721-743, June.

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