Nonparametric Estimation of Search Costs for Differentiated Products: Evidence from Medigap

• Published in: Journal of business & economic statistics Vol. 38; no. 4; pp. 754 - 770
• Main Authors: Lin, Haizhen, Wildenbeest, Matthijs R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria Taylor & Francis 01-10-2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Consumer search; Health insurance; Price dispersion; Product differentiation; Nonparametric statistics
• ISSN: 0735-0015; 1537-2707
• DOI: 10.1080/07350015.2019.1573683

This article develops a method to estimate search frictions as well as preference parameters in differentiated product markets. Search costs are nonparametrically identified, which means our method can be used to estimate search costs in differentiated product markets that lack a suitable search cost shifter. We apply our model to the U.S. Medigap insurance market. We find that search costs are substantial: the estimated median cost of searching for an insurer is $30. Using the estimated parameters we find that eliminating search costs could result in price decreases of as much as $71 (or 4.7%), along with increases in average consumer welfare of up to $374.