On the absolute ruin problem in a Sparre Andersen risk model with constant interest

In this paper, we extend the work of Mitric and Sendova (2010), which considered the absolute ruin problem in a risk model with debit and credit interest, to renewal and non-renewal structures. Our first results apply to MAP processes, which we later restrict to the Sparre Andersen renewal risk model with interclaim times that are generalized Erlang ( n) distributed and claim amounts following a Matrix-Exponential (ME) distribution (see for e.g. Asmussen and O’Cinneide (1997)). Under this scenario, we present a general methodology to analyze the Gerber–Shiu discounted penalty function defined at absolute ruin, as a solution of high-order linear differential equations with non-constant coefficients. Closed-form solutions for some absolute ruin related quantities in the generalized Erlang (2) case complement the results obtained under the classical risk model by Mitric and Sendova (2010). ► We consider the absolute ruin problem. ► We present a general methodology to analyze the GS functions. ► We obtain explicit ruin probabilities for generalized Erlang (2) claims.