Reckless driving in Virginia is a criminal misdemeanor that adds 6 demerit points and triggers 80–120% rate increases. Here's what your insurance will cost and which carriers still write coverage.
How Virginia Treats Reckless Driving and What It Does to Your Insurance
Virginia Code § 46.2-862 classifies reckless driving as a Class 1 criminal misdemeanor, not a simple traffic violation. This includes driving 20+ mph over the posted limit or any speed above 85 mph, regardless of the posted limit. The conviction adds 6 demerit points to your DMV record and remains visible to insurers for 11 years, though the demerit points themselves fall off after two years if you maintain a clean record.
Insurance carriers treat reckless driving convictions more severely than standard speeding tickets because the charge signals both speed and criminal conviction. Expect rate increases between 80% and 120% at renewal, with some carriers non-renewing your policy entirely. The average Virginia driver paying $1,200 per year can see premiums jump to $2,160–$2,640 annually after a reckless driving conviction.
Virginia does not require SR-22 filing for reckless driving alone unless your license was suspended as part of the conviction or you were driving uninsured at the time. Most reckless driving convictions result in fines, potential jail time, and insurance increases — but not SR-22 unless a suspension is involved. If you received a suspension, you'll need to file SR-22 for three years from your reinstatement date and pay a $145 reinstatement fee to the Virginia DMV. Virginia's SR-22 filing requirements non-standard auto insurance
Rate Increases by Carrier After Reckless Driving in Virginia
Not all carriers treat reckless driving the same way. Standard carriers like State Farm, Allstate, and Geico typically impose the steepest increases — often 100%+ — or decline renewal altogether. Regional carriers and non-standard insurers like Dairyland, Progressive, and National General are more likely to continue coverage and apply smaller surcharges, though you'll still see significant increases.
A survey of Virginia rate filings shows reckless driving surcharges ranging from 75% at non-standard carriers to 140% at preferred carriers. The difference between the highest and lowest available rate after a reckless conviction can exceed $1,500 per year, which is why shopping after conviction is critical. Your current carrier has no obligation to offer you competitive pricing once the conviction appears on your MVR.
If your carrier non-renews you, expect a 30–60 day notice period. Use that window to compare quotes from at least three non-standard carriers. Switching before non-renewal avoids a lapse, which would compound your rate problem and potentially trigger an SR-22 requirement if Virginia suspends your license for driving uninsured. SR-22 insurance
Virginia Demerit Points and How Long They Affect Your Rates
Reckless driving adds 6 demerit points to your Virginia DMV record. Points accumulate from the conviction date, not the citation date. Virginia uses a point threshold system: 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months triggers a license suspension. If your reckless conviction pushes you over that threshold, you'll face a suspension hearing and potential SR-22 filing requirements.
Demerit points remain on your DMV record for two years from the conviction date if you maintain a clean record during that period. However, insurance carriers can see the reckless driving conviction for 11 years in Virginia, even after the demerit points fall off. Most carriers apply the highest surcharge for the first three years after conviction, then gradually reduce it. Expect meaningful rate recovery starting at year three, with rates approaching pre-conviction levels around year five if no additional violations occur.
Virginia offers a five-point demerit credit if you complete a state-approved driver improvement clinic. You can earn this credit once every two years, but it does not remove the conviction from your record — it only offsets future point accumulation. Most insurers do not reduce rates based on the clinic alone, but it can help prevent suspension if you're near the threshold.
Which Carriers Write Coverage After Reckless Driving in Virginia
After a reckless driving conviction, you're shopping in the non-standard or assigned risk tier. Carriers actively writing this market in Virginia include Dairyland, National General, Progressive (non-standard division), The General, and Bristol West. These carriers specialize in point violations and criminal convictions, and their underwriting is built to price risk rather than decline it.
Standard carriers like Geico, State Farm, and Allstate may keep you on if you've been a long-term customer with no prior violations, but expect significant surcharges and possible non-renewal at the next term. Mutual companies and regional carriers like Erie and Virginia Farm Bureau tend to non-renew faster than national non-standard writers.
If no voluntary market carrier will write you, Virginia operates an assigned risk plan through the Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan (VAIP). VAIP assigns you to a carrier that must provide liability coverage at state-regulated rates, which are typically 50–100% higher than voluntary market rates. VAIP is a last resort — exhaust all non-standard carrier options before entering assigned risk, as it's harder to exit and offers fewer coverage options.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Reckless Driving Conviction
Do not wait until renewal to start shopping. As soon as your conviction is final, request quotes from at least three non-standard carriers. Rates vary widely in this tier, and the carrier that offers the best rate for one driver may not for another. Use the conviction date as your baseline — most carriers price based on time since conviction, so every month that passes without a new violation improves your risk profile.
If you were issued a license suspension as part of your conviction, confirm whether Virginia requires SR-22 filing before reinstatement. Contact the Virginia DMV at (804) 497-7100 or check your suspension notice. If SR-22 is required, you'll need to purchase at least Virginia's minimum liability limits (25/50/20) and have your insurer file the SR-22 certificate electronically with the DMV. Expect to pay $15–$50 for the SR-22 filing fee and an additional 20–40% on your premium for SR-22 status.
Consider raising your deductibles and dropping collision or comprehensive coverage if you're driving an older vehicle. Liability-only policies are significantly cheaper after a reckless conviction, and reducing your coverage to state minimums can cut your premium by 30–50%. Just ensure you maintain continuous coverage — any lapse will trigger additional penalties and extend your rate recovery timeline.
Rate Recovery Timeline and What Accelerates It
Most Virginia drivers see their reckless driving surcharge begin to decrease after three years, assuming no additional violations. Carriers tier their lookback periods differently, but the most common structure applies the full surcharge for years 1–3, reduces it by 50% in years 4–5, and eliminates most of the surcharge by year 6. The conviction itself remains visible for 11 years, but its impact on pricing diminishes steadily.
The fastest way to recover your rate is to maintain a clean record and shop aggressively. Every policy renewal after year three is an opportunity to move from a non-standard carrier back to a standard carrier. Drivers who stay with the same non-standard carrier for the full surcharge period often overpay by $1,000+ compared to those who re-shop annually.
Virginia does not offer point removal for reckless driving convictions, and no action you take will erase the conviction from your record before the 11-year period ends. Focus on time, clean driving, and carrier comparison — those are the only variables you control that directly affect your rate.