1 EXHIBIT 5(A) November 22, 1994 AMERCO 1325 Airmotive Way, Suite 100 Reno, Nevada 89502 RE: Registration Statement on Form S-3 Gentlemen: You have requested our opinion as special Nevada counsel for AMERCO, a Nevada corporation ("AMERCO"), in connection with the registration of 2,994,655 shares of Common Stock currently held by the Trust under the AMERCO Employee Savings, Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP Trust Common Stock"). The ESOP Trust Common Stock is the subject of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"). In connection with this opinion, we have examined: 1. Registration Statement; 2. the Articles of Incorporation of AMERCO, as amended, certified by the Nevada Secretary of State; 3. the Bylaws of AMERCO certified by the Secretary of AMERCO; 4. resolutions heretofore adopted by the Board of Directors of AMERCO authorizing the issuance of the ESOP Trust Common Stock; 5. copies of the stock certificates representing the ESOP Trust Common Stock; and 6. opinion of Snell & Wilmer, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons and the conformity to originals of all copies of all documents submitted to us. We have relied upon the certificates of all public officials and corporate officers with respect to the accuracy of all matters contained therein. We have relied upon the opinion of Snell & Wilmer as to matters contained therein. In rendering the opinion set forth herein, we have further assumed the Registration Statement being declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"); Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: 1. The shares of ESOP Trust Common Stock issued by AMERCO to the ESOP Trust are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. 2. Under the laws of the State of Nevada, no personal liability will attach to the holders of any of the ESOP Trust Common Stock by reason of their ownership thereof. We disclaim liability as an expert under the securities laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction. Nothing herein shall be deemed an opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Nevada. This opinion is intended solely for the use of AMERCO in connection with the registration of the ESOP Trust Common Stock. It may not be relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose, or reproduced or filed publicly by any person, without the written consent of this firm; provided, however, we hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5(a) to the Registration Statement and to the references to this firm contained in the Registration Statement. Very truly yours, LIONEL SAWYER & COLLINS 2 November 23, 1994 AMERCO 1325 Airmotive Way Suite 100 Reno, Nevada 89502-3239 Gentlemen: We are familiar with the pleadings and rulings in the action pending in the Superior Court of Arizona in and for the county of Maricopa entitled Samuel W. Shoen, M.D., et al. v. Edward J. Shoen, et al. (No. CV88-20139) (the "Shareholder Litigation") and with the contested issues in the private arbitration proceedings commenced by Sophia M. Shoen and Paul F. Shoen (the "Arbitration"). Based upon our familiarity with the foregoing, it is our opinion that as of the date of this opinion nothing in the Shareholder Litigation or the Arbitration impairs the right, power, and authority of AMERCO, acting through its current officers and directors, to authorize, execute, and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission the Registration Statement on Form S-3 registering 2,994,655 shares of Common Stock held by the trust under the AMERCO Employee Savings, Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Nothing herein shall be deemed an opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Arizona. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to Exhibit 5(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by AMERCO with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to the references to this firm contained in such Registration Statement. Very truly yours, SNELL & WILMER