The fields of insurance law and insurance economics have long and distinguished scholarly histories, but participants in the two disciplines have not always communicated well across academic silos. This Handbook encourages more policy-relevant insurance economics scholarship and more economically sophisticated legal scholarship by bringing together original contributions from leading scholars in both fields. The benefits of this inter-disciplinary approach are introduced and illustrated in four comprehensive sections: - Why and how do individuals purchase insurance? - The role of the state in insurance markets - The regulation of insurance - Insurance law in the courts. Overall, this Handbook synthesizes the insights of insurance economics with the flourishing body of economically oriented research in insurance law. As well as providing a new approach for scholars, the Handbook will prove a useful reference for insurance lawyers and insurance regulators owing to its policy relevant, practical approach. Contributors: K.S. Abraham, D. Asmat, R. Avraham, T. Baker, E.F. Brown, P.-A. Chiappori, M.F. Grace, S.E. Harrington, D. Jaffee, R.W. Klein, H.C. Kunreuther, J. Kwak, K.D. Logue, J.A. Nyman, M.V. Pauly, D. Schwarcz, P. Siegelman, C. Silver, R. Squire, S. Tennyson

This timely research review successfully combines economically-oriented legal scholarship on insurance with policy-relevant economics scholarship on insurance. Professor Schwarcz has selected seminal contributions from the past twenty years to explore some of the central questions involving the role of the state in insurance markets. These include rules governing the interpretation and enforceability of insurance contracts, the regulation of insurers and insurance markets, and the role of public programs in supporting private insurance markets. This essential title will be of immense value and interest to students and academics interested in the diverse field of the law and economics of insurance.