Happened about a year ago from a three foot drop. I never expected applecare to cover it, so never bothered with making a claim. Mainly because other than the latch it functions perfectly.
Now though, I planning to keep it around for at least another two to three years or pass down to the kids. Should I send it in anyway and pay, or should I try to take it apart myself. -Two years of applecare remaining.
Another thing I worry about; what if something new goes wrong at this point and they point at the drop as the cause.