Well, I have broken about 25 loomis's in the years of fishing some on accident but most on fish or snags. Anyhow they do have a great warranty policy and they will give you a loaner rod is you are in desperate need of one. I live here close to the factory so I can just drive them up there. As far as taking it to your local retailer they usually will take the rod and send it in for you and you will just be waiting for loomis to call you or they will send you a rod back. Of all the rods I have broken I only had to pay for one because it was broken off right at the cork. They looked at me sort of funny and I explained that my fat ass buddy had sat down on it so it wasn't really there fault. One thing that they do pay attention to is if it is fairly clean. I always clean the rods up before I take them in, by using a toothbrush and cleaning all the egg smack off of the whole rod.
keith