When prices hardly matter: Incomplete insurance contracts and markets for repair goods

B-Tier
Journal: European Economic Review
Year: 2009
Volume: 53
Issue: 3
Pages: 343-354

Authors (3)

Nell, Martin (not in RePEc) Richter, Andreas (not in RePEc) Schiller, Jörg (Universität Hohenheim)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper looks at markets characterized by the fact that the demand side is insured. In these markets, a consumer purchases a good to compensate consequences of unfavorable events, such as an accident or an illness. Insurance policies in most lines of insurance base indemnity on the insured's actual expenses, i.e., the insured would be partially or completely reimbursed when purchasing certain goods. In this setting, we discuss the interaction between insurance and repair markets by focusing, on one hand, upon the development of prices and the structure of markets with insured consumers, and, on the other hand, the resulting backlash on optimal insurance contracting. We show that even in the absence of ex post moral hazard the extension of insurance coverage will lead to an increase in prices as well as to a socially undesirable increase in the number of repair service suppliers if repair markets are imperfect.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:eecrev:v:53:y:2009:i:3:p:343-354
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-29