So for $5.95 a month, you are also getting insurance and a warranty for the device.
Yes, you can buy a surge protector and have it added to your box. But it has a warranty, and no longer insurance for your devices after expiration.
That's the route I went before moving here. I installed myself. If you have to pay an electrician, you've blown years of $5.95 per month coverage.
From
SECO website: Surge MitiGator – SECO Energy CLICK "warranty"
"MTI’s liability, per occurrence, will not exceed $5,000 to any one (1) specific
device or appliance with a maximum of $500,000 over the life of this warranty.
Upon evaluation, you will be notified of the status of your warranty assessment.
If it is determined that you are entitled to compensation, you will be given either
the fair market value of the damaged equipment immediately preceding the
failure, reimbursed for reasonably incurred repairs, or paid the cost of
reasonable estimated repairs, at the discretion of MTI, up to the cap set forth
above. Determination of fair market value will be at MTI’s sole discretion."