Have you ever seen a violin get damaged inside a case?

I have seen violins damaged in their case. Mostly it has been an instrument versus an SUV or being dropped out of the cargo hold on a jet airliner.

I believe that suspension provides the best protection for the instrument, unless the case is built like a tank, like the old Jaeger cases were. It seems that the old Jaeger cases could withstand a nuclear attack - just kidding.

Many cases claim to be suspension but it seems, in my opinion, that the suspension pads are so small that it really isn't a suspension case. Also, it is very important to have a case with a hard shell such as wood, fiberglass or carbon fiber.

There are inexpensive cases with a foam shell that simply won't hold up. I have seen what happens when someone slips on the ice and falls on one of these cases. In one instance the instrument required having a new top made for it.