In: Operations Management
Suppose that an individual has wealth of $20,000 and utility function U(W) = ln(W), where ln(W) indicates the natural logarithm of wealth. What is the maximum amount this individual would pay for full insurance to cover a loss of $5,000 with probability 0.10?
If insurance if bought, the total wealth in any case 20000- X
in case insurance is not bought, then
-expected total wealth = expected wealth when loss happens + expected wealth when loss doesnt happen
= probability of loss* wealth at loss + probability of no loss* wealth at no loss
= 0.1 * (20000-5000) + 0.9 *20000
=19500
For him to buy insurance, utility of 20000 - X should be greater than 19500
=> ln(20000 - X) > ln(19500)
=> 20000 - X > 19500
=> X < 500
So 500 is the maximum premium that he will pay