Read Ralph McTell's own story.

Baggage handling staff at Bermuda Airport were close to facing an expensive compensation claim whilst unloading a plane.

A Hiscox guitar case containing a fifty year old Gibson J45 acoustic guitar belonging to singer/songwriter Ralph McTell, was dropped from the cargo hold of a Boeing 747 onto the tarmac 15 feet below.

"The case must have landed head first onto the tarmac", said Ralph " and as I saw it arrive on the baggage carousel I could feel the colour draining away from my face".

Before attempting to open the case to inspect the damage, an official from the airline was called to act as a witness. "I was shaking with anger and trepidation as the case was opened", Ralph said.

But a surprise was awaiting them both when they opened the case. The guitar was completely unharmed and even still in tune.

Ralph expressed his appreciation by saying, "I cannot adequately communicate my relief at this discovery". The airline official, who had been told in no uncertain terms that the guitar was irreplaceable, admitted feeling the same relief, and the airline was only too pleased to buy Ralph a new case.

"Naturally I ordered a Hiscox!!" said Ralph.

The result of this incident has been one guitar case consigned to the dump, but one expensive and loved guitar very much intact and another satisfied customer of Hiscox Cases Ltd.

A spokesman for the company said, "Because of the high quality of our products, many people perceive our cases to be expensive, but in fact, they are very competitively priced and offer a level of protection no other case in their class can match, as this incident shows, and with a 3 year Guarantee they represent unbeatable value for money."