On my current phone Note 5 Edge I started with a bulky UAG case. Could not comfortably keep in my pocket and getting it in and out was a struggle.
Then went with a front/back screen protector plastic film and that worked great and kept my phone pristine until after a year and the back protector film started to peel off. I order a new screen protector but it only came with the front screen protector so I bought the thinnest clear case for the back I could find.
I dropped the phone a few times and zero damage. Not sure if there is a market for this 3 year old phone but when I take off the screen protector and thin back case then factory reset, the phone will look like new.
I do buy insurance but never used it.
My 14 year old daughter on the other hand used insurance on her much better cased up iPhone 3 times. However, her phone when not eating, sitting in class, sleeping, or playing a sport is permanently attached to her nose. I guess it unhooks from her nose and hits the pavement once in a while.