Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss)	$ 11,349	$ (1,087)	$ 29,139	$ 6,372
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Net foreign currency translation loss, net of tax of $0 and $0, respectively	(4,095)	(5,975)	(648)	(17,233)
Amortization of actuarial losses for retirement plans included in net periodic pension cost, net of tax of $1,126 and $2,447 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $3,339 and $4,518 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	2,171	7,823	6,453	12,624
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(1,924)	1,848	5,805	(4,609)
Comprehensive Income	9,425	761	34,944	1,763
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(503)	20	47	330
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	$ 8,922	$ 781	$ 34,991	$ 2,093