If Air Canada destroys my suitcase what does it owe me?

Air Canada has destroyed Donna Wells-Boyle’s expensive luggage, she claims. Is there a reason it won’t repair or replace her bag? And how much does it owe her?

Question

Air Canada destroyed my Rimowa suitcase on a recent flight from Toronto to San Francisco. 

The airline instructed me to send the suitcase to a repair agent in Texas. The agent declared the suitcase unrepairable, despite the fact that they have no contract with Rimowa and no product expertise in that brand. 

Air Canada then offered me a choice of inferior replacement bags, which I declined, and recently sent me a $230 check in proposed compensation. 

I paid roughly $1,000 for my Rimowa bag, and it was of a quality to be a lifetime suitcase, so…