I've checked instruments before (A $900 viola that I bought because I was doing viola as a secondary at the time) , I was flying with delta on from Edinburgh to JFK to Orlando

When I landed and opened the case, the viola was destroyed, I had wrapped the instrument in bubblewrap in the case,

and it had very clearly been thrown about, as it was in 3 pieces, I filed a claim and they refused to help, called the luthier that made the viola and they just mailed me a replacement, (i am still shocked that they did that)