IS THERE ADVERSE SELECTION IN LIFE INSURANCE MARKETS?

C-Tier
Journal: Economic Inquiry
Year: 2016
Volume: 54
Issue: 1
Pages: 450-463

Authors (2)

David Hedengren (not in RePEc) Thomas Stratmann (George Mason University)

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

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

Abstract

type="main" xml:id="ecin12212-abs-0001"> <title type="main">Abstract</title> <p xml:id="ecin12212-para-0001">Adverse selection theory predicts people with a high risk of death are more likely to own life insurance. Using a unique data set merging administrative and survey records, we test this theory and find the opposite: people with high death risk are less likely to own life insurance. We postulate advantageous selection and price discrimination swamp adverse selection in individual life insurance markets. To determine which effect is more powerful, we analyze group life insurance markets, where insurance companies cannot price discriminate as well as in individual markets. Our data suggest that price discrimination has a stronger effect than advantageous selection. (JEL D8, G1, I1)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:ecinqu:v:54:y:2016:i:1:p:450-463
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29