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Dynamic optimal insurance and lack of commitment

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  • Alexander K. Karaivanov
  • Fernando M. Martin

Abstract

This paper analyzes dynamic risk-sharing contracts between profit-maximizing insurers and risk-averse agents who face idiosyncratic income uncertainty and may self-insure through savings. We study Markov-perfect insurance contracts in which neither party can commit beyond the current period. We show that the limited commitment assumption on the insurer's side is only restrictive when he is endowed with a rate of return advantage and the agent has sufficiently large initial assets. In such a case, the consumption profile is distorted relative to the first-best. In a Markov-perfect equilibrium, the agent's asset holdings determine his period outside option and are thus, an integral part of insurance contracts, unlike the case when the insurer can commit. Whether the parties can contract on the agent's savings decisions or not affects the agreement as long as the insurer makes positive profits.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander K. Karaivanov & Fernando M. Martin, 2011. "Dynamic optimal insurance and lack of commitment," Working Papers 2011-029, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedlwp:2011-029
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    Cited by:

    1. Karaivanov, Alexander K. & Martin, Fernando M., 2018. "Markov-perfect risk sharing, moral hazard and limited commitment," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 1-23.
    2. Oikonomou Rigas, 2018. "Unemployment insurance with limited commitment wage contracts and savings," The B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics, De Gruyter, vol. 18(1), pages 1-21, January.
    3. Alexander K. Karaivanov & Fernando M. Martin, 2016. "Market Power and Asset Contractibility in Dynamic Insurance Contracts," Review, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, vol. 98(2).
    4. Yanyan Liu & Robert J. Myers, 2016. "The Dynamics Of Microinsurance Demand In Developing Countries Under Liquidity Constraints And Insurer Default Risk," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 83(1), pages 121-138, January.
    5. Oikonomou, Rigas, 2013. "Optimal Unemployment Insurance with Private Insurance," MPRA Paper 55726, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Alexander Karaivanov, 2021. "Blockchains, Collateral and Financial Contracts," Discussion Papers dp21-03, Department of Economics, Simon Fraser University.
    7. Nguyen Phuc Canh & Udomsak Wongchoti & Su Dinh Thanh, 2021. "Does economic policy uncertainty matter for insurance development? Evidence from 16 OECD countries," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 46(4), pages 614-648, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Contracts; Risk;

    JEL classification:

    • D11 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Theory
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth

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