It's not surges, it's the cumulative effect of spikes in excess of 35 volts that eventually cause the component failures, and this is even with the best over current protection in place. The spikes are naturally occurring as an effect of transmitting electricity by mechanical means to a moving load along the rails.
Clamping the spikes at ~33-36 volts with a bipolar TVS is the best way to eliminate the damage due to spikes, and a TVS will clamp a spike much faster than the best overcurrent protection can react.
When the breaker trips, the damage has already been done, whether it is adding on to the cumulative damage or it is a fatal blow.
