Skip to main content
Log in

Arrow's theorem on the optimality of deductibles: A stochastic dominance approach

  • Exposita Notes
  • Published:
Economic Theory Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

We provide a new proof for the optimality of deductible insurance that does not depend on the expected-utility hypothesis. Our model uses only first- and second-degree stochastic dominance arguments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arrow, K. J.: Essays in the theory of risk bearing. Chicago: Markham 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Arrow, K. J.: Optimal insurance and generalized deductibles. Scand. Act. J.1, 1–42 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Blazenko, G.: Optimal indemnity contracts. Insurance Math. Econ.4, 267–278 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  • Buhlmann, H., Jewell, W. S.: Optimal risk exchange. Astin Bull.10, 243–262 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Doherty, N. A., Schlesinger, H.: Rational insurance purchasing: Consideration of contract nonperformance. Q. J. Econ.105, 143–153 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollier, C: The design of optimal insurance without the nonnegativity constraint on claims. J. Risk Insurance,54, 312–24 (1987a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollier, C: Pareto-optimal risk sharing with fixed costs per claim. Scand. Act. J.13, 63–73 (1987b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollier, C: Economic theory of risk exchanges: A review. In: Dionne, G. (ed.) Contribution to insurance economics. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers 1992

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollier, C., Schlesinger, H.: Second-best insurance contract design in an incomplete market. Scand. J. Econ. forthcoming

  • Karni, E.: Optimal insurance: A nonexpected utility analysis. In: Dionne, G. (ed.) Contributions to insurance economics, pp. 217–238. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers 1992

    Google Scholar 

  • Machina, M. J.: Expected utility analysis without the independence axiom. Econometrica50, 277–323 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mossin, J.: Aspects of rational insurance purchasing. J. Polit. Econ.91, 304–311 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Raviv, A.: The design of an optimal insurance policy. Am. Econ. Rev.69, 84–96 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothschild, M., Stiglitz, J.: Increasing risk: I. A definition. J. Econ. Theory2, 225–243 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Safra, Z., Zilcha, I.: Efficient sets with and without the expected utility hypothesis. J. Math. Econ.17, 369–384 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  • Segal, U., Spivak, A.: First order versus second order risk aversion. J. Econ. Theory51, 111–125 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zilcha, I., Chew, S. H.: Invariance of the efficient sets when the expected utility hypothesis is relaxed. J. Econ. Behav. Organiz.13, 125–131 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This paper was partially written while Schlesinger was visiting at the University of Toulouse. Financial support for this visit from the Fédération Francaise des Société d' Assurance is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also thank Louis Eeckhoudt, Ed Schlee and an anonymous referee for helpful comments.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gollier, C., Schlesinger, H. Arrow's theorem on the optimality of deductibles: A stochastic dominance approach. Econ Theory 7, 359–363 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01213911

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01213911

Keywords

Navigation