Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues from Services:
Revenues before reimbursements	$ 1,109,286	$ 1,170,385	$ 1,142,851
Reimbursements	68,302	71,135	74,112
Total Revenues	1,177,588	1,241,520	1,216,963
Costs and Expenses:
Costs of services provided, before reimbursements	788,373	869,217	840,702
Reimbursements	68,302	71,135	74,112
Total costs of services	856,675	940,352	914,814
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	239,852	241,602	237,880
Corporate interest expense, net of interest income of $749, $600, and $781, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively	9,185	8,383	6,031
Goodwill impairment charges	0	49,314	0
Restructuring and special charges	9,490	34,395	0
Total Costs and Expenses	1,115,202	1,274,046	1,158,725
Other Income	855	753	1,650
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	63,241	(31,773)	59,888
Provision for Income Taxes	25,565	13,832	28,780
Net Income (Loss)	37,676	(45,605)	31,108
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(1,710)	117	(484)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	$ 35,966	$ (45,488)	$ 30,624
Class A Common Stock
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Basic:
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.68	$ (0.79)	$ 0.58
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Diluted:
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.67	$ (0.79)	$ 0.57
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share (shares)	30,793	30,596	30,237
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (shares)	31,530	30,596	30,983
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Cash Dividends Per Share (usd per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.28	$ 0.24
Class B Common Stock
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Basic:
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Basic (usd per share)	0.60	(0.87)	0.52
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Diluted:
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.60	$ (0.87)	$ 0.52
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share (shares)	24,690	24,690	24,690
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (shares)	24,690	24,690	24,690
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Cash Dividends Per Share (usd per share)	$ 0.2	$ 0.2	$ 0.18