2008 Honda Accord should engine light come on?

Just bought car last week, driving back from fl. Heater started blowing hot and cold air. Called purchasing dealer he talked to mech. Said probably heater motor. Told e ok to drive back to AL. And bring it to them. Not far down the road temp hand flew from normal to past the red line. Check engine light never came on. Pulled over let it cool a bit then it started back up luckily there was honda dealer less than 1/2 mile so took it there. They claim rock hit radiator making a hole which drained the fluid. I asked why engine light never came on and why temp gauge didn't gradually increase. Can't seem to get answer I can understand. One answer was if I had been driving in stop and gp traffic light and gauge would have come on. Why would that make a difference. Another answer was check engine light doesn't come on until the engine is completely cooled possible the next day! Why would you have a check engine light if it isn't going to warn you when there's a proplem? Next day is too late. Of course warranty won't cover this so i'm looking at 700 for a radiator then if it does need engine there's another 9300.00. I'm thinking if the light and gauge didn't work properly then maybe i'm responsible for radiator but honda should be responsible for engine due to gauge and light failure if in fact there was a failure.