Lessons from Local Leaders:

Sina Djalili

How Sina Djalili Built a Referral-Driven Commercial Insurance Agency with Integrity and Independence

In an industry often associated with fine print and red tape, Sina Djalili, founder of Comprehensive Insurance Services(CIS) in Ashburn, VA, brings something refreshingly simple to the table: unbiased advice, responsiveness, and trust. Specializing exclusively in commercial insurance, Sina has built a business that prioritizes people over policies—and has the client retention rates to prove it.

We sat down with Sina on The Alimond Show to talk about his journey from international finance to launching his own independent agency, how he tailors protection for every client, and why he’s not interested in being #1—just first in trust.

A Global Start with Local Roots

Sina’s journey into insurance didn’t begin with a childhood dream—but with international banking and finance in the UK. After moving to the U.S., he continued in the industry and eventually took the leap to launch CIS from scratch about six years ago. Starting at zero, he leaned on what he knew: client service and commercial strategy.

His agency now serves a wide range of business clients—truckers, daycares, property managers, condo associations, and more—but one thing remains constant: his focus on commercial-only insurance. Personal insurance, he says, is oversaturated and increasingly automated. Commercial policies, on the other hand, require a real human touch.

Why Independence Matters

Many agents are locked into quotas from large carriers, but Sina made a different choice. “If a company requires a premium target—even one dollar—I won’t sign the contract,” he explains. Instead, he works with carriers via wholesalers, giving him true independence to recommend the right fit for each client—not the most profitable one.

This means every client gets genuinely unbiased advice, whether they need general liability, errors & omissions, liquor liability, or customized packages for complex needs.

A One-to-One Model That Works

At CIS, Sina doesn’t operate like a traditional agency. His team consists of 1099 contractors who handle their own book of business—start to finish. That means when a client calls, they always speak with the same person who wrote and services their policy. This unique model has helped CIS maintain a 95% retention rate, which is nearly unheard of in the industry.

Sina believes in long-term relationships over short-term wins. “We don’t buy leads. I don’t cold call. Most of our business comes from referrals. If you provide great service, growth follows,” he says.

Solving Real-World Insurance Challenges

One example? A client running multiple daycare centers needed urgent help when their insurer pulled out of the market. Sina stepped in to craft a multi-layered policy covering commercial auto, liability, and new locations—all while managing new compliance needs for 1099 staff. “It’s complicated,” he says, “but that’s what I enjoy—making it all fit.”

The Power of Patience and Personalization

In an industry pushing automation and AI, Sina chooses personalized service over speed. He’s responsive, transparent, and even takes the emergency calls—like that one 2 a.m. trucker accident. But otherwise, his boundaries are clear. “Weekends, I relax. You have to find balance.”

His favorite mantra? “I trust people until I have a reason not to.” And that trust-centered mindset shapes everything about the way he does business.

What’s Next?

When asked about his five-year plan, Sina’s answer is simple: no plan. “I don’t want to be number one. I just want clients to feel they’re the most important thing when they call.” For now, CIS continues to grow organically through relationships, not advertising.

If your business needs insurance handled with clarity, care, and zero-pressure sales—Sina might just be your go-to.

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