Reliability and Sensitivity Analysis of an Insured System with Conditional Warranty Duration Lengthier than Insurance Duration

Abstract

The terms reliability, warranty and insurance are interwoven in some ways. The warranty of system and insurance coverage offered by the manufacturer or third party reflects its potential reliability. In certain situations, the insurance may expire before the warranty time. To address this issue, the reliability and sensitivity analysis of a single-unit insured system has been carried out. The system may functions in warranty period with or without insurance cover whereas no insurance cover is given during nonwarranty period. If faults are covered under warranty or the insurance terms, the manufacturer or insurance company is liable to pay all the repair/replacement costs; otherwise, the user must pay the entire cost. The reliability metrics of the system and factors impacting system profitability are derived using Markov and regenerative processes. Profit equations and sensitivity functions are established for all stakeholders. The sensitivity function for system availability is also derived for all the possible considered periods. Exponential distribution is used to illustrate the developed model numerically.