Your washer and dryer are two of the hardest-working appliances in your home. The average household runs somewhere between 4 and 8 loads of laundry a week, which adds up to thousands of cycles over the life of each machine. Motors wear, belts stretch, heating elements burn out, and control boards fail — usually right around the 8-year mark. When that happens, the repair bill can easily run $350 to $900, and a full replacement of a matched washer-dryer pair can top $2,400.
So it’s a fair question: does a home warranty actually cover your washer and dryer? The short answer is yes — on most plans that include the optional laundry appliance coverage — but the details matter. Here’s what a home warranty typically covers on a washer and dryer, what it doesn’t, and how to make the most of your coverage.
Washer and Dryer Coverage Under a Home Warranty
Most home warranty plans treat the clothes washer and dryer as covered appliances when you select a plan tier that includes them, or when you add them as optional coverage. A home warranty is different from the manufacturer warranty that came with the machines. Manufacturer warranties usually expire after 12 months and only cover parts, not labor. A home warranty kicks in afterward and covers both the mechanical failure of the appliance and the labor to repair it, minus a flat service fee per visit.
With Empire Home Protect plans, coverage is provided on the parts and components of the washer and dryer that fail from normal wear and tear. That typically includes:
- Drive motors and transmissions
- Pumps, valves, and hoses internal to the machine
- Drum rollers, belts, and pulleys
- Electronic control boards and sensors
- Heating elements and igniters (dryer)
- Door switches, lid switches, and locks
- Agitators, impellers, and spin baskets
- Thermostats, timers, and dials
A broken agitator on a top-load washer or a heating element that no longer heats in a gas or electric dryer — both classic failures — are the kind of repair where a warranty pays for itself in one claim.
What Is Not Covered
Every home warranty has exclusions, and washers and dryers are no exception. Coverage generally does not extend to:
- Cosmetic damage. Dents, scratches, rust on the exterior, or chipped paint.
- Removable accessories. Knobs, lint filters, drying racks, and detergent dispenser cups.
- Venting outside the machine. The dryer vent duct running through the wall is considered part of the house, not the appliance.
- Damage from misuse. Overloading the drum, running the machine dry, or pouring in the wrong kind of detergent.
- Improper installation. A stacked unit installed without the manufacturer’s stacking kit, or a gas dryer hooked up without a proper shut-off valve.
- Pre-existing problems. Failures that started before the coverage period began.
- Commercial use. Machines in a laundromat, rental unit, or Airbnb may be excluded unless a commercial-use rider was added.
How to File a Claim for a Washer or Dryer
When a laundry appliance quits, the claim process is straightforward:
- Stop using the appliance. Running a failing machine can cause a small problem to become a big one — a worn bearing can strip a shaft, and a leaking pump can soak the subfloor.
- Gather basic info. Have the brand, model number, and age of the unit ready. The model plate is usually inside the door frame on a washer or inside the door opening on a dryer.
- Submit a claim. Use the Empire Home Protect online claim form or call the claims line. Describe the symptom plainly: “front-load washer will not spin,” “gas dryer tumbles but no heat,” and so on.
- Pay the service fee. A technician will be dispatched. You pay a flat service fee at the visit; there is no separate estimate charge under most plans.
- Let the tech diagnose. The technician will decide whether the failure is covered, whether parts need to be ordered, and whether repair or replacement is the right path.
When a Machine Is Replaced Instead of Repaired
If a covered component cannot be sourced, or the cost of repair exceeds the policy’s limits for that appliance, the claim can be resolved by replacing the unit. Replacement values vary by plan tier, so it’s worth checking your plan details before assuming a full swap for a premium brand is possible.
Is Washer and Dryer Coverage Worth the Cost?
A single motor replacement on a front-load washer runs $400 to $700 in most markets. A dryer heating element with labor typically lands around $250 to $450. For an average annual home warranty premium, one covered repair in the year easily pays back the cost of coverage. Households that have older machines, or that run several loads a day, see the math tilt even further in favor of coverage.
Families that just bought a brand-new matched pair usually still have the manufacturer warranty for the first year. After that year ends, a home warranty is the simplest way to keep those machines protected without tracking individual extended-warranty paperwork from the retailer. That continuity is part of why a home warranty is different from an extended warranty — see Home Warranty vs Extended Warranty: Which Saves More? for a side-by-side breakdown.
Tips to Stretch Washer and Dryer Life
Coverage is the safety net. Good habits keep you from needing it in the first place:
- Clean the lint screen after every load, and vacuum the lint housing monthly.
- Leave the washer door or lid open between loads to let the drum dry out.
- Run a monthly cleaning cycle with a washer cleaner to prevent mold.
- Do not overload the machine. Clothing should tumble, not pack.
- Inspect fill hoses every year for cracks or bulges, and replace them at least every 5 years.
- Level the machine so it does not rock during the spin cycle.
Ready to Cover Your Laundry Appliances?
A washer or dryer breakdown is the kind of expense no one plans for, and it almost always comes at an inconvenient time. Empire Home Protect offers flexible plans that include laundry appliance coverage so a failed motor, stuck pump, or burned-out heating element turns into a small service fee instead of a weekend-ruining bill.
Get a free Empire Home Protect quote and see how affordable full laundry coverage can be.
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