One branch of government insurance programs has a number of distinguishing characteristics. These programs are compulsory, they are financed by mandatory contributions rather than general tax revenues, and benefits are weighted in favor of low-income groups. These government insurance programs are called A) welfare programs. B) social insurance programs. C) casualty insurance programs. D) private […]
Apex Insurance Company wrote a large number of property insurance policies in an area where earthquake losses could occur. When the president of Apex was asked if she feared that a severe earthquake might put the company out of business, she responded, “Not a chance. We transferred most of that risk to other insurance companies.” […]
JKL Insurance Company estimates that 14 out of every 100 homeowners it insures will file a claim each year. Last year, JKL insured 200 homeowners. According to the law of large numbers, what should happen if JKL insures 2,000 homeowners this year? A) The total number of claims filed by JKL policyowners should decrease. B) […]
Which of the following statements concerning social insurance benefits is (are) correct? I. Social insurance benefits are heavily weighted in favor of upper-income groups because of their higher earnings. II. Social insurance benefits are financed entirely or in part by mandatory contributions by covered employers and employees, and not by general revenues of the government. […]
Ashley opened an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant. The price per-person was based on what Ashley believed an average restaurant patron would consume. The restaurant began to lose money. Ashley concluded that her patrons had “above average” appetites, and were attracted to her restaurant because they could eat as much as they wanted while being charged an […]
A group of farmers agreed that if any farmer suffered a property loss, the loss would be spread over the entire group. In this way, each farmer is responsible for the average loss of the group rather than the actual loss that each farmer sustained. Which characteristic of insurance is embodied in this agreement? A) […]
Adverse selection occurs A) when an insurance company loses money on its investments. B) when insurance purchasers buy insurance but do not have a loss. C) when catastrophic losses occur as a result of a natural disaster. D) when applicants with a higher-than-average chance of loss seek insurance at standard rates. ANSWER Answer: […]
All of the following are social costs associated with insurance EXCEPT A) insurance company operating expenses. B) fraudulent claims. C) inflated claims. D) increased cost of capital. ANSWER Answer: D
Which of the following statements regarding insurance and hedging is (are) true? I. Insurance involves the transfer of an insurable risk while hedging handles risk that is typically uninsurable. II. Insurance transactions can reduce objective risk, while hedging typically involves only risk transfer and not risk reduction. A) I only B) II only C) both […]
Which of the following statements about the insurance industry as a source of investment funds is (are) true? I. These funds result in a lower cost of capital than would exist in the absence of insurance. II. These funds tend to promote economic growth and full employment. A) I only B) II only C) both […]