I seem to be the resident B&R apologist, so I'll chime in.

My oldest B&R is approaching three decades of either monthly or bi-monthly long-haul international travel, always checked, never carry-on.
I've used the warranty service a number of times and can vouch for it, but with some caveats.

I've only ever had parts replaced, and I dropped the bag off a week later, and all is well again.
I stopped flying on United and haven't needed a repair since.

I don't recommend the B&R hard-sided products because I don't see it surviving as much as I like the design of TORQ line.
But then I would probably say that of any hard-sided luggage but the aluminum stuff. Look at the oldest most beat up looking bags on the conveyor belts...they are the ones that survived.

Also for anyone buying new, I always recommend considering the cost of using the warranty.
If you have to ship, it gets expensive real quick. Local drop off changes the economics.

In your position, I would take the credit and move on.
And unless they ask you to return the bag, I would explore repairing it yourself.
Or do something fun with it like this chap did.