Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Weighted Average Shares Issued) (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Common Class A | CRD-A issued under non-employee director stock plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement
Stock issued during period (shares)	2,000	4,000	121,000	59,000
Common Class A | CRD-A issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement
Stock issued during period (shares)	119,000	107,000	119,000	107,000
Common Class A | CRD-A issued under the U.K. ShareSave Scheme
Share-based Compensation Arrangement
Stock issued during period (shares)	10,000	5,000	151,000	101,000
Common Class A | CRD-A issued under the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement
Stock issued during period (shares)	7,000	7,000	7,000	7,000
Common Class A | CRD-A issued under the Executive Stock Bonus Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement
Stock issued during period (shares)	13,000	20,000	17,000	94,000
Common Class B
Share-based Compensation Arrangement
Stock issued during period (shares)	0	0	0	0