Assurant Donates Sixth Mobility-Modified Vehicle to Wounded Veteran
Assurant, Inc. a global provider of protection and support services for connected devices, homes, automobiles and commercial equipment, has strengthened its long-standing commitment to supporting wounded military veterans by presenting its sixth mobility-modified vehicle through its partnership with Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS). The latest vehicle was awarded to retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant John Hayes, recognizing his courage, perseverance and continued journey toward greater independence.
The vehicle, an all-electric 2026 Cadillac Vistiq SUV, has been specially customized with adaptive driving technology to accommodate Hayes’ mobility requirements. The presentation took place on November 10, 2026, through Wounded Warriors Family Support’s Mobility is Freedom program, which focuses on helping wounded veterans regain independence by providing accessible transportation solutions.
The initiative reflects Assurant’s continued investment in programs that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. Through its collaboration with WWFS, the company aims to address one of the most important challenges faced by many injured service members: access to safe, dependable and appropriately modified transportation.
Assurant Strengthens Its Longstanding Support for Veterans
Assurant has worked alongside Wounded Warriors Family Support since 2018, supporting the organization’s Mobility is Freedom program. The partnership is built around the belief that accessible transportation can significantly improve the independence, confidence and everyday experiences of veterans who have sustained serious injuries during military service.
For individuals living with permanent physical disabilities, transportation can present considerable challenges. Standard vehicles may not provide the accessibility or driving controls necessary for people with limb amputations or other mobility limitations. Specialized modifications can help overcome these barriers, allowing veterans to travel more independently and participate more fully in family, community and professional activities.
Through its ongoing partnership, Assurant has helped provide specially adapted vehicles to wounded veterans, marking the sixth vehicle donation under the initiative.
The latest contribution demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to making a practical difference in the lives of military veterans. Rather than focusing solely on financial assistance, the initiative provides a tangible solution that directly addresses transportation needs.
The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq SUV presented to Hayes represents another important step in this effort. Its combination of electric vehicle technology, accessibility modifications and additional vehicle protection is intended to support his long-term mobility requirements.
2026 Cadillac Vistiq Customized for Accessibility
The vehicle donated to Master Sergeant John Hayes is an all-electric 2026 Cadillac Vistiq SUV. While the vehicle offers modern electric mobility and advanced automotive technology, its most important feature for this initiative is its customized adaptive driving system.
The SUV was modified by the Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence, an organization specializing in vehicle adaptations and driver rehabilitation solutions.
The modifications include full hand-driving controls designed to accommodate Hayes’ physical requirements. These controls allow him to operate the vehicle without relying on conventional foot-operated driving functions.
Adaptive driving equipment plays an important role in improving accessibility for people with lower-limb disabilities. Depending on an individual’s physical capabilities, specialized systems can enable drivers to manage acceleration, braking and other essential vehicle functions using alternative controls.
For Hayes, the customized driving arrangement is intended to provide greater control and confidence behind the wheel.
The modifications also reflect the importance of individualized vehicle adaptation. Every person with a mobility disability may have different physical requirements, meaning that accessible transportation solutions must be designed around the driver’s specific needs.
By working with a specialized vehicle modification organization, Assurant and WWFS have helped ensure that the donated SUV is equipped to support Hayes’ mobility requirements.
Assurant Foundation and Holman Automotive Support the Initiative
The sixth mobility-modified vehicle was provided through the Assurant Foundation, with support from Assurant’s automotive dealer partner, Holman Automotive.
The collaboration brought together several organizations with different areas of expertise to deliver a complete transportation solution.
The Assurant Foundation supported the vehicle contribution, while Holman Automotive participated as a dealer partner. The Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence handled the installation of the adaptive driving equipment.
This coordinated approach demonstrates how businesses, charitable organizations and specialized automotive service providers can work together to support people with disabilities.
The initiative also highlights the role of automotive industry partnerships in improving vehicle accessibility. Manufacturers and dealers can contribute by helping make vehicles available, while specialized modification companies ensure that those vehicles can accommodate individual mobility requirements.
In addition to the vehicle and its adaptive equipment, Assurant provided an Assurant EV One service contract.
The service contract is designed to help cover certain vehicle repair expenses and provide protection beyond the manufacturer’s original warranty. This additional coverage can help reduce concerns about unexpected repair costs and provide greater confidence in vehicle ownership.
For Hayes and his family, the combination of the customized SUV, adaptive driving technology and additional service protection represents a comprehensive mobility solution.
A Veteran’s Journey of Courage and Recovery
For Master Sergeant John Hayes, receiving the customized Cadillac Vistiq represents much more than gaining access to another vehicle. It marks an important milestone in a recovery journey that has continued for more than 15 years.
Hayes sustained life-changing injuries while serving in Afghanistan on December 28, 2010. During his fourth deployment, he stepped on a buried improvised explosive device (IED), resulting in traumatic amputations of both lower limbs and other life-threatening injuries.
The explosion caused extensive physical damage and required a prolonged medical recovery.
Since the incident, Hayes has undergone more than 60 surgical procedures as part of his treatment and rehabilitation. His medical journey included a rare left hemi-pelvectomy amputation, an extensive surgical procedure involving the removal of part of the pelvis and the affected lower limb.
Recovering from such severe injuries requires considerable physical and emotional strength. The process can involve repeated medical procedures, rehabilitation programs and adjustments to everyday activities.
For veterans with significant mobility limitations, returning to independent transportation can be particularly challenging. Driving, traveling and completing routine family responsibilities may require specialized equipment and additional support.
Despite these challenges, Hayes has continued to demonstrate determination throughout his recovery.
The customized Cadillac Vistiq is intended to help him overcome some of the transportation barriers associated with his injuries. With adaptive hand-driving controls, he can access a vehicle configured around his individual mobility needs.
Speaking about the donation, Hayes expressed appreciation for the support and emphasized his determination to continue moving forward.
“Despite the daily challenges I face, mobility will not be an obstacle in my recovery,” said Master Sergeant John Hayes. He also thanked the organizations involved for helping secure his family’s livelihood through the vehicle donation.
His statement highlights the broader purpose of the Mobility is Freedom program: helping injured veterans maintain independence and continue building meaningful lives with their families.
Assurant Highlights the Importance of Community Engagement
Assurant views its partnership with Wounded Warriors Family Support as an important part of its broader corporate responsibility and community engagement strategy.
The company supports veterans and their families through initiatives involving the Assurant Foundation and its Veterans@Assurant employee community.
These programs reflect the company’s efforts to contribute to communities while recognizing the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families.
La Shonda Oglesbee, Vice President of Global Inclusion & Community Engagement at Assurant, emphasized the importance of providing meaningful support to veterans.
According to Oglesbee, supporting veterans and their families through the Assurant Foundation and Veterans@Assurant community is an important part of the company’s approach to giving back.
She also highlighted how dependable and accessible transportation can make a significant difference in the daily lives of wounded veterans.
Through its longstanding relationship with WWFS, Assurant has witnessed the positive impact that customized vehicles can have on independence and everyday activities.
Oglesbee expressed the company’s appreciation for continuing the initiative with Master Sergeant John Hayes and his family.
Her comments reinforce the idea that community support is most effective when it addresses specific challenges faced by individuals. In this case, accessible transportation provides a practical way to improve mobility and reduce dependence on others.
Wounded Warriors Family Support Continues Its Mobility Mission
Wounded Warriors Family Support is dedicated to supporting injured veterans and their families through programs designed to improve their quality of life.
Its Mobility is Freedom program focuses on helping veterans regain independence by providing vehicles adapted to their individual physical requirements.
The program recognizes that transportation is closely connected to independence. Access to a suitable vehicle can help veterans manage appointments, participate in family activities, travel to work and engage more actively in their communities.
For veterans who have experienced serious injuries, these everyday activities can become difficult without appropriate transportation arrangements.
By providing specially modified vehicles, WWFS seeks to remove some of these barriers and give veterans greater freedom to manage their daily routines.
Kate McCauley, CEO and President of Wounded Warriors Family Support, expressed appreciation for Assurant’s continued involvement in the program.
McCauley explained that helping veterans regain independence is central to the Mobility is Freedom initiative. She also thanked Assurant for helping provide Hayes with a vehicle suited to his needs and capable of supporting his everyday life.
The organization’s partnership with Assurant demonstrates how sustained corporate support can help charitable programs deliver meaningful results.
Electric Vehicle Technology and Accessible Mobility
The selection of an all-electric 2026 Cadillac Vistiq also brings attention to the growing relationship between electric vehicle technology and accessible transportation.
Electric SUVs are becoming an increasingly important part of the automotive industry’s transition toward lower-emission mobility. At the same time, vehicle manufacturers and modification specialists are exploring ways to make modern vehicles more accessible to people with physical disabilities.
The Cadillac Vistiq combines electric propulsion with the space and functionality of an SUV. For this donation, the vehicle’s standard capabilities have been complemented by specialized adaptive driving equipment.
Accessible vehicle modifications can help people with different physical limitations operate vehicles more comfortably and safely. Hand controls, wheelchair-accessible features, modified seating arrangements and other specialized equipment can make a substantial difference depending on the driver’s needs.
However, successful adaptation requires more than simply installing additional equipment. The vehicle must be configured according to the individual’s physical capabilities, driving requirements and rehabilitation needs.
The involvement of the Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence is therefore an important part of the initiative. Specialized expertise helps ensure that the adaptive equipment is appropriate for the recipient.
The additional Assurant EV One service contract also provides an extra layer of vehicle ownership protection, helping cover certain repair costs beyond the original manufacturer’s warranty.
Together, these elements demonstrate an approach to mobility that considers not only vehicle accessibility but also long-term ownership and reliability.
A Continued Commitment to Veterans and Their Families
The presentation of the sixth mobility-modified vehicle represents another significant milestone in Assurant’s partnership with Wounded Warriors Family Support.
Since 2018, the collaboration has focused on helping wounded veterans access transportation solutions that support independence and everyday mobility.
The latest donation to Master Sergeant John Hayes demonstrates the value of bringing together corporate foundations, automotive dealer partners, vehicle modification specialists and veteran-support organizations.
For Hayes, the customized Cadillac Vistiq is expected to provide greater freedom to travel, manage daily responsibilities and spend time with his family.
For Assurant, the initiative reinforces its commitment to community engagement and supporting military veterans through practical programs.
For Wounded Warriors Family Support, it represents another opportunity to advance the mission of Mobility is Freedom.
As the automotive industry continues to develop electric vehicles and advanced technologies, initiatives such as this also demonstrate how innovation can serve a broader social purpose.
The sixth vehicle donation is more than a corporate charitable contribution. It is an investment in accessibility, independence and the quality of life of a veteran who has overcome extraordinary challenges.
Through its continued partnership with WWFS, Assurant is helping demonstrate that reliable and accessible transportation can play an essential role in supporting wounded veterans and their families.
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