Does the Otterbox Defender Series really protect your iPhone 5?

I'm skeptical about buying one since it's going to be my first te ever purchasing one. Does it really protect phones like they claim? Also, if i decide to purchase and then drop my ip5 somehow, will it damage the inside?

I got the otter box for my Droid razor maxx and I highly recommend it. I drop my phone and abuse it constantly while working and so far it still looks brand new. On a side note before I got the case I had to take my phone to best buy twice over the course of 6 months for damages

They are protective, but they're also Really bulky… Sure they come in cute colors, but I wouldn't buy one. It just takes away the light and thin size of the iPhone. You'd so fine with any other case for drops (but most of them don't offer water protection)