9 / 11 / 01 Terrorist Attack
On September 11 , 2001 , 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airliners . It carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States . Two of the planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City . A third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington , D . C ., and the fourth plane crashed in Shanksville , Pennsylvania . Often referred to as 9 / 11 , the attacks resulted in extensive death and destruction , triggered major U . S . initiatives to combat terrorism , and defined the presidency of George W . Bush . Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks including more than 400 police officers and firefighters .
On September 14 , 2001 , KAIA had an article in Kansas Agent . It stated :
In recent days , the U . S . has witnessed tragic events of an unparalleled and indescribable magnitude . Every American has been affected by these terrible and barbaric acts . KAIA hopes that you and your loved ones have escaped the most direct impact of these events . In the aftermath of this brutal attack , America had proven once again that its indomitable spirit could not be broken . In the days , weeks , and months that followed , countless victims and survivors will begin putting their lives back in order , and our industry will play a pivotal role in this recovery and rebuilding process . Fellow members in New York , New Jersey , and Washington , DC , will be on the front lines of this effort .
The Big “ I ” set up America ’ s Survivor Relief Fund . The fund took donations to assist the survivors and victims of the brutal attacks . 100 % of all funds donated went to help those who are now in need .
Following the 9 / 11 terrorist attacks , Congress passed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act , known as TRIA . The act created a federal backstop for large-scale insurance claims related to acts of terrorism . KAIA played an active role in providing the Kansas Congressional delegation to analyze the bills being proposed in Washington . KAIA members were mobilized to contact their U . S . Senators and Representatives to reiterate the impact of 9 / 11 on the insurance industry and express the need for a federal solution to stabilize market conditions .
• July 1 , 2001 , the new privacy law went into effect . It was passed to protect Kansans consumers ’ personal , financial , and health information .
• The IIAA voted to adopt a new name following the membership vote at the National Legislative Conference on April 10-14 , 2002 , in Washington , D . C . The step was taken at the board meeting was designed to make the new name Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America , more inclusive of the entire membership , of all types and sizes of agencies and brokerages .
• “ Fire in the Heartland ,” March 11 , 2005 , a fire ravaged the historic downtown of Ft . Scott . Eleven buildings burned , some of them over 140 years old . KAIA member , Gross Insurance Agency , insured eight of the 11 buildings . The fire started in the basement of a Main Street bar . The fire took over three days to fully extinguish . More than 20 fire departments from Kansas and Missouri battled the blaze . The National Guard even dropped water by helicopter to fight the fire from the air . It was estimated the fire caused over $ 10 million in damage . Gross Insurance lived by the philosophy that they were a small-town service big enough to cover your insurance needs but small enough to provide hometown service .
56 Kansas Association of Insurance Agents