Where are you guys driving that you would need these skid plates?

My 94' 855T still has the majority of the paint on the oil pan. And I must have a different 850 than Uncle Olaf does, because on my car, the oil pan isn't the first solid thing under my car.

Not that hitting your oil pan is a good thing, but imagine if the chassis or other support structure were the first solid thing. In that case, hitting something at speed would tear the car apart.

Doesn't the catastrophic damage on iPd's site look a little obvious that the damage was not done on a car? And even if it weren't, damage that would puncture an oil pan would pretty much destroy an skid plate and damage whatever it was attached to, i.e. chassis. And lastly, wouldn't something that would damage an oil pan be easily avoidable? Er go negating the need for a skid plate?

http://ipdusa.com/images/frontwheeldrive/skidplate.jpg

Don't get me wrong guys, protection is a great thing. I'm a real stickler about protecting the paint, windows, engine, tranny etc. I'm just looking for a clue as to why so many people are buying or are considering buying a skid plate.