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The economics of self-protection

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  • Richard Peter

    (University of Iowa)

Abstract

Self-protection is a costly activity that reduces the probability of an unfavorable outcome. Even the simplest model with a binary risk of loss and expected utility of final wealth produces interesting comparative statics that are by no means trivial. This article provides a selective survey of the economics of self-protection. It puts particular emphasis on the contributions made by members of the European Group of Risk and Insurance Economists and research published in the Geneva Risk and Insurance Review. The article provides a conceptual framework to catalog existing models of self-protection, discusses the tension between risk aversion and downside risk aversion, reveals the role of probability thresholds, surveys extensions to non-expected utility, and highlights the recent surge in two-period models. Ideas for future research directions are also developed.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Peter, 2024. "The economics of self-protection," The Geneva Risk and Insurance Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics (The Geneva Association), vol. 49(1), pages 6-35, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:genrir:v:49:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1057_s10713-023-00094-1
    DOI: 10.1057/s10713-023-00094-1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Self-protection; Prevention; Comparative statics; Risk preferences;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D61 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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