The psychology of insurance

In this dissertation I ask three distinct questions related to the psychology of insurance decisions. Specifically, I ask (1) when and why do people opt for insurance?, (2) what is the effect of having or not having insurance on risk perception and risk taking?, and (3) why do people find it acceptable to defraud insurance companies? In my attempt to answer these questions I build on economic, psychological, and other relevant literature and collect data in observational as well as experimental studies.