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Lapse-Based Insurance

delete2021-08-01
delete17
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OA
AI
D
Daniel Gottlieb
K
Kent Smetters *
DOI:10.1257/aer.20160868delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Most individual life insurance policies lapse, with lapsers cross-subsidizing non-lapsers. We show that policies and lapse patterns predicted by standard rational expectations models are the opposite of those observed empirically. We propose two behavioral models consistent with the evidence: (i) consumers forget to pay premiums and (ii) consumers understate future liquidity needs. We conduct two surveys with a large insurer. New buyers believe that their own lapse probabilities are small compared to the insurer's actual experience. For recent lapsers, forgetfulness accounts for 37.8 percent of lapses while unexpected liquidity accounts for 15.4 percent.
Keywords:
HEALTH-INSURANCE
SELF-CONTROL
PLAN CHOICE
OVERCONFIDENCE
POLICIES
RATES

Journal

American Economic Review cover
American Economic Review
IF:
11.6
Papers:
5.0K
Citations:
7.5W

Organization

L
London School Economics and Political Science
Scholars:
3.8K
Papers: 3.2K
Citations: 40
U
university of london
Scholars:
21.5W
Papers: 19.7W
Citations: 305