Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Investment - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 141,501	$ 126,088	$ 124,351	$ 181,109	$ 177,595	$ 179,353	$ 124,351	$ 179,353
Net Income (Loss)	11,349	9,161	8,629	(1,087)	4,178	3,281	29,139	6,372
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,924)	8,005	(276)	1,848	1,411	(7,868)	5,805	(4,609)
Cash dividends paid	(3,400)	(3,389)	(3,373)	(3,394)	(3,384)	(3,373)
Stock-based compensation	1,289	1,228	729	1,089	876	404
Common stock activity, net	748	431	14	(2,558)	433	(128)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	0		(3,800)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(172)	(23)	(186)	(186)
Increase in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition						5,926
Ending balance	149,391	141,501	126,088	176,821	181,109	177,595	149,391	176,821
Shareholders' Investment Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	136,481	121,110	113,693	169,077	165,381	172,937	113,693	172,937
Net Income (Loss)	10,945	8,627	8,630	(857)	4,054	2,986
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,023)	8,474	338	1,638	1,717	(7,445)
Cash dividends paid	(3,400)	(3,389)	(3,373)	(3,394)	(3,384)	(3,373)
Stock-based compensation	1,289	1,228	729	1,089	876	404
Common stock activity, net	748	431	14	(2,558)	433	(128)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	209		1,079
Ending balance	144,249	136,481	121,110	164,995	169,077	165,381	144,249	164,995
Additional Paid-In Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	45,153	43,744	41,936	40,113	38,977	38,617	41,936	38,617
Stock-based compensation	1,289	1,228	729	1,089	876	404
Common stock activity, net	597	181		611	260	(44)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	209		1,079
Ending balance	47,248	45,153	43,744	41,813	40,113	38,977	47,248	41,813
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	249,656	244,418	239,161	301,254	300,584	301,091	239,161	301,091
Net Income (Loss)	10,945	8,627	8,630	(857)	4,054	2,986
Cash dividends paid	(3,400)	(3,389)	(3,373)	(3,394)	(3,384)	(3,373)
Common stock activity, net		0		(2,810)		(120)
Ending balance	257,201	249,656	244,418	294,193	301,254	300,584	257,201	294,193
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(213,819)	(222,293)	(222,631)	(227,686)	(229,403)	(221,958)	(222,631)	(221,958)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,023)	8,474	338	1,638	1,717	(7,445)
Ending balance	(215,842)	(213,819)	(222,293)	(226,048)	(227,686)	(229,403)	(215,842)	(226,048)
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	5,020	4,978	10,658	12,032	12,214	6,416	10,658	6,416
Net Income (Loss)	404	534	(1)	(230)	124	295
Other comprehensive income (loss)	99	(469)	(614)	210	(306)	(423)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	(209)		(4,879)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(172)	(23)	(186)	(186)
Increase in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition						5,926
Ending balance	5,142	5,020	4,978	11,826	12,032	12,214	5,142	11,826
Common Class A | Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	30,801	30,551	30,537	30,706	30,533	30,497	30,537	30,497
Common stock activity, net	151	250	14	(359)	173	36
Ending balance	30,952	30,801	30,551	30,347	30,706	30,533	30,952	30,347
Common Class B | Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	24,690	24,690	24,690	24,690	24,690	24,690	24,690	24,690
Common stock activity, net	0	0	0	0		0
Ending balance	$ 24,690	$ 24,690	$ 24,690	$ 24,690	$ 24,690	$ 24,690	$ 24,690	$ 24,690