surge protector

I'm retired IT (Systems Integrator) and from experience, I don't run any valuable electronics (sticks and bricks, RV or portable) without power protection whenever connected to line service. Can't say about "having experience" of not being protected and wishing I had been, as I've always had protection, but, I've never been sorry that I had it. Even my tel-co landlines are protected from surges. It would only take one piece of damaged equipment to have paid for the protection to have avoided the damage.