Does a home warranty cover your washer and dryer?
Key takeaways:
As a homeowner, you don’t just need to worry about maintaining your house itself; you also need to manage the upkeep of the household appliances that keep your family’s daily routines running smoothly.
Your washing machine and dryer are a big part of your home functioning well, so protecting yourself from unexpected appliance problems and the potentially expensive cost of repairs is a good investment.
One way to protect yourself from the financial burden of repairing or replacing a major appliance, such as your washing machine or dryer, is to purchase a home warranty plan with appliance coverage as a supplement to your homeowners insurance.
To help you better understand how a home warranty works for your washer and dryer, this article explains:
- What usually goes wrong with a washer and dryer
- Which types of repairs a home warranty plan will cover for your washer and dryer
- The benefits of having your washer and dryer covered by a home warranty company
The most common problems with washers and dryers
Any appliance that is constantly exposed to both water and heat is at risk of mechanical problems at some point. Your washing machine and dryer are no exception.
Below are some of the most common appliance problems you will face with a washer and dryer as well as some maintenance tips to help you avoid them.
Mold buildup
It’s common for mold to grow around the washing drum, gasket and drain hose of a washing machine — especially in the summertime when humidity is higher. To avoid mold buildup, wipe down the basin, door and gasket with a towel weekly.
Reducing dampness is especially important for a front-load washer. Transfer wet laundry from the washing machine to the dryer as soon as the cycle is done, and prop the washer door open to dry out.
Run a spin cycle or the self-clean cycle regularly using an appropriate cleaner. It might seem redundant to be washing your washing machine, but thoroughly cleaning your washer, including the detergent and fabric softener dispensers, door and drum, reduces the risk of mold and keeps your washer running at its best.
Dust collection
The dryer vent can get clogged with dust and lead to damage as serious as a fire. Vacuum the dryer vent regularly. Also, check the outdoor vent for blockage from bird nests or other critter debris.
The dryer lint screen is another culprit for fire hazard. Clean the lint screen after every load, and wash it with soap every month or so. Performing these tasks will also increase dryer efficiency and reduce electric dryer costs.
Mechanical issues
You can get away with poor maintenance for a while, but mold and dust will catch up to you over time and cause mechanical issues. Issues with belts, pulleys and bearings are common. A lid-switch malfunction will put any washer-dryer set out of commission and is also common. If you own a washer-dryer combo, there are issues particular to that type of machine.
Why is it so important to keep up with washer and dryer maintenance? Well, the coverage of your home warranty plan depends on it.
What is typically included in a home warranty with washer and dryer coverage?
While each home warranty company offers different warranty coverage, a home protection plan for your household appliances generally covers repair costs from routine wear and tear. That means that the mechanical parts, motors, switches and even knobs and handles on your appliances will be covered if they break from typical daily use.
But the damage that results from lack of regular maintenance, improper installation, careless use and intentional damage will not be covered. That’s why keeping up with maintenance — even when you do have a home warranty — is so important.
Other general limitations include how many units can be covered under one warranty and how much the total warranty coverage amount can be per item. For example, a basic plan from Cinch Home Services covers up to two of each kind of appliance under a single service contract and will offer $2,000 per item for repair or replacement.
The most important limitation of a home warranty plan will be when home warranty coverage overlaps with another type of home or appliance insurance.
First, home warranty coverage is always secondary to other kinds of warranties or homeowners insurance. For example, if you have a manufacturer’s warranty or extended warranty on your washing machine or dryer, coverage will come from that warranty before your home warranty plan kicks in.
Additionally, if damage to a washer or dryer occurs due to a major incident or disaster that your home insurance will be covering, the home warranty is again secondary to the insurance.
Keep in mind that limitations and exclusions will be different for each individual warranty plan and each home warranty company. So be sure to read the fine print on your warranty contract and consult the customer service team to clear up any confusion.
Most home warranty plans cover components and parts of a washing machine and dryer and offer a replacement when it is determined a repair is impossible.
Best home warranty with washer and dryer coverage
Before you buy a warranty or research a warranty company, make a home coverage checklist so you have a good idea of the value and types of coverage that match your home system and appliance needs, including what you’ll need for your washing machine and dryer.
This should account for the type of homeowners insurance that covers your washer and dryer, electrical system and plumbing system as well as if a manufacturer's warranty applies to the washer-dryer combo.
To assess the value of a warranty plan and determine which is the best warranty company for your needs, compare the cost of a warranty against the potential cost of paying up front to repair or replace your washer and dryer. For example, if your washing machine breaks, it could cost you over $1,300 to replace or repair it. That cost would come out of your pocket and, as an unexpected expense, it could be challenging to absorb in your monthly budget.
In comparison, a home warranty plan is an affordable service contract with a warranty company that protects you against these kinds of large, unpredictable expenses. The cost of a home warranty plan varies based on coverage details, but it generally includes an annual fee plus a small service fee (or deductible).
The average annual cost to repair the appliance falls within the $300–$600 range with monthly payments of $25–$50. The service fee goes directly to the repair provider and averages $50–$100 per visit.
You can think of a home warranty plan as appliance and systems insurance that fills gaps in other types of insurance coverage you need as a homeowner.
For financial predictability and peace of mind, a home warranty from Cinch Home Services will ensure your appliance collection and built-in home systems stay intact while injecting predictability into your monthly budget.
* Subject to plan terms and conditions.
*The information in this blog library is intended to provide general guidance on home warranties, and on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.
*Our blog library may link to third-party sites that offer products, services, coaches, consultants, and/or experts. Any such link is provided for reference only and not intended as an endorsement or statement that the information provided by the other party is accurate. We are not compensated for any products or services purchased from these third-party links.