What Is a Moral Hazard?

What Is a Moral Hazard?

The economic reasoning behind bailout or no bailout.

  • Martha C. White is a freelance writer in New York.
(Dice photo by Michael Connors, Morguefile)

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Moral Hazard vs Morale Hazard

Your use of moral hazard is inaccurate. According to the 2nd edition of Principles of Risk Management and Insurance by the American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters," a moral hazard is a condition that exists when a person may try intentionally to cause a loss or may exaggerate a loss that has occured. It refers to a defect or weakness in human character that may result in a loss occuring or being enlarged beyond its true value or duration."

Your article more accurately describes a "morale hazard" which the 2nd edition of Principles of Risk Management and Insurance states, " is a condition that exists when a person is less careful than he or she should be. Carelessness with property that may increase the probability of a theft loss is an example of a morale hazard."

moral hazard

Good job. Now that the market has rallied, we can all relax, right? It's a dark forest out there.
Steve C.