GE Appliance Warranty Review: Coverage and Cost

General Electric (GE) is one of the nation's largest manufacturers of large home appliances. If you recently purchased or are considering purchasing a GE appliance, GE will offer you a warranty in the event that something goes wrong with your new investment. Take the time to learn how GE's warranty can benefit you.

Many consumers add extended warranty protection plans beyond the manufacturer's warranty from GE. These additional service plans can come in the form of additional manufacturers’ warranties or a home warranty. The best choice for you might vary, depending on when you bought your appliance, but a home warranty is usually a better deal. Either way, we at the Guides Home Team will help you consider the warranties and their costs.

The GE appliance warranty generally covers appliances that malfunction because of a defective part or workmanship. Depending on which appliances homeowners purchase, different elements that make up the appliances are covered and for varying periods.

In the next few sections, we’ll cover a few major appliances and what parts are covered under GE's warranty plan. We sourced our information directly from GE's website, and the company thoroughly explains its warranty coverages. Here's what you can expect each of your appliance warranties to cover.

GE's refrigerator warranty covers various parts of the refrigerator for as few as 30 days and as many as 12 years, depending on the component. There are two coverage schedules for different GE models, and we’ve noted the differences below. If you aren't sure which model you have, use your serial number to look up the product on GE's website.

For the first 30 days, GE will replace the cartridge of the water filtration system if it fails because of poor workmanship or a defective part. After 30 days, no portion of this component is warrantied.

For the first one or two years from the purchase date of a GE refrigerator (depending on the model), all other components are covered. The warranty states that GE will replace or repair parts free of charge, as long as the issue is the result of workmanship or a part defect.

GE includes a five-year warranty on sealed components of the refrigeration system, including the compressor, condenser, evaporator and tubing. Under this warranty, any part that fails because of workmanship or defective parts would be replaced or repaired.

Some models of refrigerators come with similar coverages but have a warranty lifetime of 12 years. After the fifth year, only parts fall under the warranty. GE does not pay the fee for service calls or for the service time for repairs. GE does provide a one-year warranty on its ice makers, covering any parts and labor.

GE offers several warranties for its washing machines, dryers and combination washer/dryer units. Many have varied coverage options so consult GE's website for all the details.

GE covers any defects or workmanship issues that arise within the first year for all models. After that, washers have varying coverage. For the second year, the coverages remain for some models, but you can expect to pay for service-related costs. Doors, the suspension strut assembly, motor, motor controller are covered from defects in years 2 through 5 or 3 through 5, depending on the model. Beyond that, it covers washer baskets for 20 years or for the life of the washer, depending on the model.

Dryers come with a simpler warranty, with some only including full coverage for one year and others continuing limited coverage on all elements through five years.

Dishwashers fall into one of four warranty categories with GE. One category includes only a one-year warranty on all parts. Beyond that, nothing is covered. Each of the other categories adds to the coverage of racks, the control board, tub, and door liner for varying amounts of time.

GE's microwave warranties are more straightforward than its other appliance warranties. As with other GE appliances, performance issues within the first year are covered regardless of cause. Beyond that, an additional nine-year warranty applies to the microwave's magnetron tube. The extra coverage applies only to parts, not labor costs.

GE also offers manufacturer's warranties on its cooktops, freezers, disposers, compactors, air conditioners, water heaters and other residential appliances. Similar to the ones we outlined, all of these warranties include a one-year blanket against defects. Beyond one year, homeowners must decide their risk-reward tolerance for a possible appliance malfunction. In short: do you want to buy more warranty coverage?

GE partners with insurance provider Assurant for its Service Protection Advantage plan. This extended warranty allows for repair and replacement coverage on appliances after that first one-year window. Coverage begins the day after your original warranty expires.

A GE extended warranty through Assurant doesn't cover cosmetic damage, cracked cooktops from accidental damage, damages from acts of God or items like lightbulbs, batteries, water filters or other small maintenance items. Beyond the extended warranty period, your only backstop could come from a home warranty policy, if you have one, to help with repair or replacement bills.

A manufacturer's warranty is included in the cost of all GE appliances. The chart below breaks down the cost to cover each of the appliances through GE's extended warranty plan through Assurant.

Prices below are based on the GE Profile line.

Some homeowners insure all of their appliances. Others get coverage for only the most expensive ones. Each situation is different. People use appliances to varying degrees: some people cook a lot and value a warranty on cooktops and refrigerators. Others prefer to hand-wash dishes and won't use their dishwasher enough to pay for an extended warranty. And all must consider the replacement cost of the appliance.

For those seeking additional peace of mind for their appliances, an extended warranty like the Service Protection Advantage plan through Assurant and a home warranty are both viable options. While they are similar in that they provide extra financial protections, there are a few key differences worth considering.

An extended warranty for your appliances is an insurance policy on the appliance itself. Like any insurance policy, the coverage has exclusions, like accidental damage. Home warranties cover your entire home, including appliances (in most instances). Because of their sweeping coverage, home warranties often have higher limits for the price.

The table below highlights some differences between an extended warranty and a home warranty.

Knowing the most common repairs you might need for your home and your appliances helps you evaluate the benefit of a home warranty vs. an extended warranty. The following are some of the most common repairs you might need for your GE appliances and what they might cost, according to estimates we collected.

Beyond simple issues like handles, drawers and water filters, the most common problems with refrigerators have to do with the refrigeration system itself. A compressor, condenser or evaporator problem can be expensive, with one part costing around $350. And that doesn't include labor costs.

The most common issues for washing machines often stem from the pump or the motor. A new pump costs about $30, not including labor. Repairing the motor will cost about $300 for most GE models.

Dryer issues can fall anywhere on the price spectrum. Some simple fixes like new belts or bearings come in at around $100. Larger problems like replacing the motor or heating element are much more expensive.

The issue with repairing a microwave is that usually the money you would pay in labor costs as much as a new microwave. Even for a small repair like replacing a handle or the electrical panel, the labor involved likely prices you into buying a new microwave. However, if you have a built-in microwave, repair and replacement costs can cost between $40 and $400.

Dishwashers can have problems from the hardware of the unit itself to issues with drainage. Repairs might require a plumber, not a minor expense if the problem takes a while to correct. If a leak requires the use of a dehumidifier, your out-of-pocket costs can rise even faster. Aside from plumbing issues, repairing a motor or pump will cost around $200.

When deciding between a home warranty or an extended warranty to get appliance coverage, a home warranty is going to give you better value in most cases. Home warranties provide coverage for more than just GE-branded appliances and last for longer periods than even extended warranties.

If you want to make sure all your appliances are covered, adding multiple extended warranties through Assurant can get expensive quickly. By using a home warranty, all of your appliances are covered in one policy, saving you time and effort. A home warranty also provides more comprehensive protections because it usually covers appliances that were installed incorrectly, not maintained properly or got damaged accidentally.

American Home Shield (AHS) is one of the top providers of home warranties in the nation, and it's our top pick for warranty coverage of GE appliances. We chose AHS because of its multiple coverages, the variety of various issues it covers and the value it delivers for the price.

AHS has three plans, and two of those include appliance coverage. The ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans cover not only your appliances, but also several other systems in your home, for less than $70 a month. They have an overall coverage limit of $10,000, higher than most competing home warranty coverages.

Looking solely at appliance coverage, we like AHS because it covers most accidental damage, replacement of appliances beyond repair and those with installation or maintenance problems. AHS is available in most parts of the country, and you can easily claim a free quote online by clicking here.

Whether you buy your GE appliance from a big-box retailer like Home Depot or directly from GE, you will benefit from registering it with GE. While registering your appliance is not necessary for the warranty to be valid, registration makes it easier to process a claim in the event an issue does arise.

You can register a GE appliance through the company's website by providing the serial number and basic contact information for you. If you have special accessibility needs, you can also register your appliance warranty over the phone.

If something goes wrong with your GE appliance, you can begin a warranty claim by calling 1-800-432-2737 or by visiting this link. From there, GE can diagnose the problem and schedule a service visit from one of its local contract maintenance providers.

GE offers manufacturer's warranties on their appliances, but many consumers enhance that coverage by purchasing extended warranties. In most cases, a home warranty provides the best value and coverage options for people looking for an additional layer of protection because more issues are covered for a comparable cost.

If you only wanted to insure one or two major appliances, an extended warranty might be a good idea to keep costs down. Otherwise, a home warranty will likely be the best choice. We recommend getting a quote from AHS by clicking here.

GE offers standard manufacturer's warranties on each of its appliances. All appliances have protection for at least a year, but the warranty time varies based on the appliance.

If your appliance is less than a year old, it's likely still under warranty. If not, this link should tell you what is covered.

GE refrigerator warranties depend on the model number, but the exact warranty can be found here.

The amount of time that your GE refrigerator will be under warranty depends on your model. All components of GE refrigerators except the cartridge of the water filtration system enjoy at least one year under warranty.

All appliances from reputable brands like GE, Samsung and Whirlpool typically carry a one-year warranty against manufacturer error.

Sarah Horvath is one of the home service industry's most accomplished writers. Her specialties include writing about home warranties, insurance, home improvement and household finances. You can find her writing published through distributors like HouseMethod, Architectural Digest, Good Housekeeping and more. When not writing, she enjoys spending time in her home in Orlando with her fiance and parrot.