Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Weighted Average Shares Issued) (Details) - Common Class A - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
CRDA issued under non-employee director stock plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]
Stock issued during period (shares)	7	6	55	60
CRDA issued under the U.K. ShareSave Scheme
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]
Stock issued during period (shares)	96	255	96	261
CRDA issued under Executive Stock Bonus Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]
Stock issued during period (shares)	70	56	74	251
CRDA issued upon stock option plan exercises
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]
Stock issued during period (shares)	0	0	0	106