Varistors are not polarity sensitive.
Now I'm pretty sure that the device in question is a varistor. I
googled for SAS-820KD05, found several references but unfortunately
no data sheet - maybe you have more luck.
One main criterium for selecting a varistor is the varistor
voltage - as long as the voltage applied to the varistor is below
the varistor voltage, it will behave like a capacitor. When the
voltage is above, e.g. caused by a transient, it acts as a
resistor, shorting this transient. Another important value is the
max. pulse current a varistor can withstand.