There have been many threads on this in the past couple of years so a search here should turn up many results and lots of comments and opinions.
In a nutshell, you can buy or rent a SECO surge suppressor
Surge Protection – SECO Energy which is mounted outdoors at your electric meter. $349.
or, you can have an electrician install one at your electrical panel inside the garage which is a little cheaper $295. installed, if done by Lenhart. It mounts flush to the wall just beneath the electrical panel.
Surge Protection | Installation | Lenhart Electric | Residential | Commercial
Does it save appliances? Guess it depends on how close or severe the lightning strike is. And the type of surge.
It has been said that besides lightning, a major function of the "whole house" suppressor (a misnomer) is to protect from the MANY daily little hits that electric motors take when an air conditioner or major appliance turns on and off.
Here is an excellent "Ask this Old House" video that explains this.
How to Install Surge Protection | This Old House
Here's another video
The Importance of Surge Protection | This Old House