Speaking as I can from the experience of actively trying to break a lens (story of that another day), I now dispense with all UV/protection only filters. They only degrade image quality. People say modern ones let through 99.99% of light but photos take with just always look worse with me. Maybe its a psychological effect I don't know.
Lenses are quite tough. A lens hood is a perfectly adequate piece of protection. Don't drop your lens straight down and don't run into any corners with your camera outstretched and you'll be grand
