THE ACCURACY OF PRODUCERS’ PROBABILITY BELIEFS: EVIDENCE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INSURANCE VALUATION
By: Sherrick, Bruce J.
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Citation
Sherrick, Bruce J., THE ACCURACY OF PRODUCERS' PROBABILITY BELIEFS: EVIDENCE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INSURANCE VALUATION, Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Volume 27, Issue 1, July 2002, Pages 77-93
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Abstract
The accuracy of producers' subjective probability beliefs is examined through a survey of large cash-grain farmers in Illinois. Findings reveal that their subjective probability beliefs about important weather variables are systematically mis-calibrated. The nature and extent of differences between subjective probability beliefs and probabilities based on long-term historic weather data are shown empirically, and through fitted calibration functions. The economic significance of inaccurate subjective probability beliefs is established in the context of insurance valuation. The results demonstrate that significant errors in producers' risk assessments and insurance valuation arise as a consequence of producers' systematically inaccurate probability beliefs.