Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues from Services:
Revenues before reimbursements	$ 1,176,717		$ 1,125,355		$ 1,030,417
Reimbursements	89,421		86,007		80,384
Total Revenues	1,266,138		1,211,362		1,110,801
Costs and Expenses:
Costs of services provided, before reimbursements	844,927		831,922		758,863
Reimbursements	89,421		86,007		80,384
Total costs of services	934,348		917,929		839,247
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	228,411		221,470		202,626
Corporate interest expense, net of interest income of $967, $1,020, and $681, respectively	8,607		15,911		15,002
Special charges and credits	11,332		(2,379)		4,650
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges	0		0		10,788
Total Costs and Expenses	1,182,698		1,152,931		1,072,313
Income Before Income Taxes	83,440		58,431		38,488
Provision for Income Taxes	33,686		12,739		9,712
Net Income	49,754		45,692		28,776
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	866		288		448
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	$ 48,888		$ 45,404		$ 28,328
Class A Common Stock
Earnings Per Share - Basic:
Earnings Per Share - Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.92		$ 0.86		$ 0.54
Earnings Per Share - Diluted:
Earnings Per Share - Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.91		$ 0.85		$ 0.53
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share (shares)	29,536		28,820		27,967
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share (shares)	30,272		29,549		28,537
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Cash Dividends Per Share (usd per share)	$ 0.20		$ 0.10		$ 0
Class B Common Stock
Earnings Per Share - Basic:
Earnings Per Share - Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.88	[1],[2]	$ 0.84	[1],[2]	$ 0.54
Earnings Per Share - Diluted:
Earnings Per Share - Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.87	[1],[2]	$ 0.83	[1],[2]	$ 0.53
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share (shares)	24,693		24,697		24,697
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share (shares)	24,693		24,697		24,697
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Cash Dividends Per Share (usd per share)	$ 0.16		$ 0.08		$ 0

[1] Due to the method used in calculating per share data as prescribed by ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share,” the quarterly per share data may not total to the full-year per share data.

[2] Beginning in the 2011 third quarter, the Company paid a higher dividend on its CRDA common stock than on its CRDB shares. This dividend differential can result in different earnings per share for each class of stock due to the two-class method of computing EPS as required by current accounting guidance. Only CRDB is shown here, as that presents a more dilutive measure.