On the Gerber–Shiu discounted penalty function in the Sparre Andersen model with an arbitrary interclaim time distribution

In this paper, we consider the Sparre Andersen risk model with an arbitrary interclaim time distribution and a fairly general class of distributions for the claim sizes. Via a two-step procedure which involves a combination of a probabilitic and an analytic argument, an explicit expression is derived for the Gerber–Shiu discounted penalty function, subject to some restrictions on its form. A special case of Sparre Andersen risk models is then further analyzed, whereby the claim sizes’ distribution is assumed to be a mixture of exponentials. Finally, a numerical example follows to determine the impact on various ruin related quantities of assuming a heavy-tail distribution for the interclaim times.