Maybe I'm reading some of the comments wrong to this post, but it sounds to me that some feel a lifetime warranty justifies a $600 fee? If that's the case how do you answer a company who sells a rod at $150 with the same warranty? I'll tell you how : labor cost plus reasonable markup. I've always felt that the price asked by some producers of rods refect how much the market will bear. The same holds true with reel mfgs.
In any case, to answer the original post, I'd opt for a warranty of one yr based on defects, if it lowered the price based on not having to pay for an insurance policy.
But: as I stated before, there are few rod companies out there willing to settle for less profit when they can get people that are willing to spend more based on media hype on how superior their rods are to justify their cost. I might also add you may want to check these warranties terms and conditions if your buying with the idea of re-sale only.