In two courses different risk subjects were under discussion, but the general underlying lessons were the same.

Catherine Trischan, manager of the commercial lines department for the E&K Agency in Eatontown, N.J., taught a section on "Additional Insureds: Who's Covered?."

Mark Palinkas, a production underwriter for Lansing, Mich.-based Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company, out of Hastings, N.Y., taught "Advanced Personal Lines Coverage."

Ms. Trischan told agents that this July the Insurance Services Office would be putting through changes in its policy form language for endorsements adding insureds on commercial policies.

She said the ISO form changes will attempt to eliminate questions over some issues in policy language such as "arising out of" to better define liability in a policy. She said agents can expect to see changes coming from their carriers within the next few months.

While there appears to be a commercial endorsement to cover a myriad of risk factors and insureds, it is important for the agent to take care that they are using the correct endorsement to cover the risk, she noted, reviewing more than 30 commercial endorsements available to agents.

"Whether you remember or not what is the correct endorsement, it does not matter," advised Ms. Trischan. "What you must do is read the endorsement and know where to go to ask questions. This is a very, very tricky issue. If you have doubts about the application of the endorsement, get the company to rule on it. Let them tell you what applies if you have a question."

Mr. Palinkas said when it comes to mixing personal and commercial lines coverage, understanding the customer's risk and finding the correct coverage endorsements can be just as daunting.

Mr. Palinkas reviewed the complexity of risk when the two issues are mixed involving auto and home. Endorsements are available, he said, for the customer to extend personal lines coverage while operating a company car or covering a business and its property on a homeowners policy.

He told agents it is imperative that they read the policies and understand the extent of coverage in the endorsement. He advised further that it is important for them to know the available endorsements and to offer them to underwriters instead of waiting for the underwriter to come up with something, to expedite the process.

The carrier, he noted, may not underwrite the endorsement, but at least the agent would have something to offer instead of just waiting for an answer.

Among other recommendations, he said customers should get in writing from their employer what the permissive use of the automobile is. The driver should also look into getting endorsements to their personal lines coverage.

As to homeowners' exposure for home businesses, endorsements are necessary to extend liability and to protect office equipment, which are not covered by the homeowners policy, he said.

Agents, he said, should learn the endorsements and "be the go-to guy," adding, "Know your, stuff."