YES!!! I always wash the quilt before giving it, that way if anything unfortunate happens i'm the one who gets it not the recipient.
and i wash it however i believe the recipient will care for it...not as if its a fragile heirloom (unless of course it is)
if it is a quilt for a child which will receive frequent washes i throw it right in in warm water, and toss it in the dryer. if colors run, or any seams come apart i catch the problem before the recipient has to be upset and wonder what now...