Fishing Rod Exploded...Your Opinion?

[bolocop]

I "had" an Abu Garcia Villain $180, titanium guides, etc. It's a casting rod. I had 50lb braid and a 20lb fluoro leader.

I think it got snagged or hooked into something big while out past the MB jetty yesterday and when I loaded up on it, it broke into three pieces. The only piece I was able to recover is the piece I was holding. It broke below the first guide.

Anyone have any opinions on whether this qualifies as a warranty claim? The leader is within the rod rating, but I don't think the braid rating is.

Any thoughts?