U-Haul extends 30 days free storage at 60 Chicagoland centers
U-Haul provides 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box use at 60 Chicagoland centers for storm victims. The program, an extension of a June initiative, supports recovery from recent tornado-strength winds and hail. Residents can access free storage at participating locations across Central Chicago, South Suburbs, Western Suburbs, North Shore, and North Indiana.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
U-Haul has extended its disaster relief program to provide 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container use at 60 Company-owned facilities across the Chicagoland area. The offer is available to residents impacted by severe storms that struck on Monday, bringing tornado-strength winds and destructive hail that caused significant damage to homes and communities. This goodwill program aims to provide a dry, secure storage solution at no cost for one month, assisting homeowners with daunting clean-up projects.
The current initiative is an extension of a disaster relief program originally put in place on June 11 across Chicagoland after another set of storms caused significant damage. U-Haul, which operates as an official American Red Cross Disaster Responder, is leveraging its network to aid communities in times of need. The free offer applies to new self-storage and U-Box rentals and is based on availability at participating locations.
Program Details and Eligibility
The 30 days free offer covers both self-storage units and portable U-Box containers. For U-Box rentals, the offer applies to on-site storage at Company facilities; delivery services are available for a modest fee. Customers needing storage beyond the free period can utilize the U-Haul 1-Year Price Lock, which is now available at 2,100 Company-owned facilities across the U.S. and Canada. This fixed-rate option ensures at least 12 months with no price increase on rental units, with no admin fees or deposits charged.
Participating Locations
Residents can access the disaster relief program at any of the 60 U-Haul centers in Metro Chicago by visiting in person or calling the nearest regional office. The participating locations are distributed across five regional companies:
| Regional Company | Store Count | Key Locations |
|---|---|---|
| U-Haul Co. of Central Chicago | 13 | Arlington Heights, Bellwood, Broadview, Chicago, Cicero, Des Plaines, Forest Park, Melrose Park, Rolling Meadows |
| U-Haul Co. of Chicago South and SW Suburbs | 12 | Alsip, Chicago, Frankfort, Oak Lawn, Romeville |
| U-Haul Co. of Chicago Western Suburbs | 11 | Aurora, Bolingbrook, Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Montgomery, Naperville, Streamwood, Woodridge |
| U-Haul Co. of North Shore Chicago | 10 | Chicago, Evanston, Morton Grove, Niles |
| U-Haul Co. of North Indiana and South Cook County | 14 | Calumet City, Elkhart (Ind.), Glenwood, Hammond (Ind.), Markham, Merrillville (Ind.), Mishawaka (Ind.), Park Forest, Schererville (Ind.), South Bend (Ind.) |
Corporate Context
Founded in 1945, U-Haul is the No. 1 choice for do-it-yourself movers with more than 25,000 rental locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. The company operates the third-largest self-storage network in North America, featuring 1,136,000 rentable storage units and 99 million square feet of space at owned and managed facilities. Its fleet includes approximately 204,800 trucks, 136,600 trailers, and 42,000 towing devices. U-Haul also remains the top retailer of propane in the U.S. and the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry.
How might the surge in demand for U-Haul's 1-Year Price Lock program impact its long-term revenue stability in the Chicagoland market?
What is the estimated financial impact on U-Haul's bottom line from offering 30 days of free storage across 60 facilities, and how does this compare to their typical corporate social responsibility budget?
Could this disaster relief initiative serve as a marketing catalyst to convert temporary relief users into long-term self-storage customers beyond the initial free period?
19
Access 50+ Readymade Screeners 
Use 200+ Custom Filters 
Get Full Market Insights 
