Short answer: A generator can carry a household through an ice storm or hurricane outage, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) counted 749 carbon monoxide deaths tied to generators alone from 2012 through 2022, with 45 percent of engine-driven-tool CO deaths falling in November through February (CPSC fatalities report). CPSC's rules are blunt: never run one in a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or shed, even with doors open, and never plug it into a wall outlet to power the house, a practice called backfeeding that can electrocute utility workers and neighbors on the same transformer (CPSC Safety Alert 5123). On the insurance side, a portable generator is usually personal property, a hard-wired standby unit is usually part of the dwelling or other structures, and harm to someone else raises a personal liability question; ordinary breakdown is generally maintenance (NAIC Home Insurance guide).
General information for households in every state. Electrical codes, utility rules and your policy wording control.
What CPSC's data shows
| Finding (2012–2022 unless noted) | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total engine-driven-tool CO deaths | 872 deaths from 699 incidents | CPSC report |
| Generators only | 749 deaths (86%) from 583 incidents | CPSC report |
| Cold months | 45% of these deaths in November through February | CPSC report |
| Outages | Power outages accounted for 103 incidents with 139 deaths, mostly weather-related such as ice and snow storms and hurricanes | CPSC report |
| Where | Residential locations accounted for 77% of generator-related CO deaths | CPSC report |
| Alarms | Only 33 deaths (4%) involved a CO alarm known to be on the premises, and in 17 of those the alarm wasn't working | CPSC report |
CPSC notes the counts for the latest years are incomplete because of reporting delays, so treat them as minimums (CPSC report).
Placement, cords and fuel
From CPSC's safety alert and Ready.gov (CPSC 5123; Ready.gov power outages):
- Outdoors only, far from doors, windows and vents, with the exhaust pointed away from buildings. Ready.gov says at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages.
- CO can build up within minutes and linger for hours after the engine stops. If you feel sick, dizzy or weak, get to fresh air right away.
- Install battery or battery-backup CO alarms certified to UL 2034, IAS 6-96 or CSA 6.19.01, and test batteries monthly.
- Keep the unit dry; in wet weather run it under an open, canopy-like cover on a dry surface, and dry your hands before touching it.
- Use heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cords whose wattage rating exceeds the total load, with all three prongs and no cuts.
- Turn it off and let it cool before refueling; gasoline spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.
- Store fuel outside living areas in labeled, non-glass safety containers, away from fuel-burning appliances such as a garage water heater.
Portable generators made or imported on or after May 14, 2007 must carry a CO danger label (CPSC 5123).
Backfeeding and transfer switches
Plugging a generator into a wall outlet sends power back through your meter onto the utility's lines. CPSC calls this "extremely dangerous," a risk to lineworkers restoring power and to neighbors served by the same transformer, and notes it also bypasses some of the home's built-in circuit protection (CPSC 5123). The safe way to power house circuits is a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician under your local electrical code and permit rules. Keep the permit and invoice; they help if a fire or electrical claim is ever investigated.
Which coverage usually applies
| Situation | Coverage that usually responds | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portable generator stolen from the yard during an outage | Personal property, if theft is a covered peril, subject to deductible | NAIC: personal property covers possessions and appliances (NAIC); TDI: pays if things you own are stolen or damaged (TDI) |
| Hard-wired standby generator damaged by a covered peril | Dwelling if attached, or other structures if freestanding, depending on the policy | NAIC defines dwelling as the house and attached structures, other structures as those not attached (NAIC) |
| Refueling fire spreads to the garage or house | Dwelling and personal property for fire, a peril most policies cover | TDI |
| Backfed power or exhaust injures a neighbor or a utility worker | Personal liability if you are found legally responsible, subject to policy terms; medical payments may pay limited bills for people hurt on your property | NAIC and TDI definitions (NAIC; TDI) |
| Generator won't start or the engine wears out | Usually maintenance, not a claim | Homeowners policies cover sudden losses from covered perils, not breakdown |
| Food lost in the outage | Separate question | See power outage food spoilage |
If you run a generator for a home business, a short-term rental or a job site, tell your agent; those uses can fall outside a homeowners policy. For alarm laws and CO claim issues, see carbon monoxide alarms and claims. Your state regulator is on our state insurance rules hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to run a generator in the garage with the door open?
No. CPSC says never use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds or similar areas, even with fans or open doors and windows, because deadly CO can build up quickly and linger for hours (CPSC 5123).
What is backfeeding and why is it dangerous?
Backfeeding means powering house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet. CPSC says it presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors on the same transformer and bypasses some household circuit protection (CPSC 5123).
Does homeowners insurance cover a stolen portable generator?
Usually under personal property, when theft is a covered peril and after your deductible (NAIC; TDI).
How many people die from generator carbon monoxide?
CPSC counted 749 CO deaths associated with generators alone from 2012 through 2022, and says recent years are still incomplete (CPSC report).
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.