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Risk and ambiguity aversion behavior in index-based insurance uptake decisions: Experimental evidence from Ethiopia

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  • Belissa, Temesgen Keno
  • Lensink, Robert
  • van Asseldonk, Marcel

Abstract

Index-based insurance (IBI) is an innovative pro-poor climate risk management strategy that suffers from low uptake. Evidence on the role of behavioral impediments in adoption of IBI is scant. We conducted lab-in-the-field experiments with 1139 smallholders out of whom 596 have adopted IBI in Ethiopia to elicit their risk and ambiguity aversion behavior, and examine whether risk and/or ambiguity aversion can explain actual IBI uptake decisions. Our study suggests that an increase in risk-aversion increases uptake, but an increase in ambiguity-aversion lowers uptake of IBI. We also find evidence that an increase in risk aversion speeds-up the uptake of IBI, while an increase in ambiguity aversion delays the adoption of IBI.

Suggested Citation

  • Belissa, Temesgen Keno & Lensink, Robert & van Asseldonk, Marcel, 2020. "Risk and ambiguity aversion behavior in index-based insurance uptake decisions: Experimental evidence from Ethiopia," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 718-730.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:180:y:2020:i:c:p:718-730
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2019.07.018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Index-based insurance; Risk aversion; Ambiguity aversion; Lab-in-the-field experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • D92 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Intertemporal Firm Choice, Investment, Capacity, and Financing
    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies

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