Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Investment - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 175,446	$ 186,964	$ 159,264
Net income	[1]	12,717	26,864	28,191
Other comprehensive income (loss)		8,858	(20,768)	14,490
Cash dividends paid (Class A - $0.28 per share, Class B - $0.20 per share)		(13,171)	(13,528)	(13,700)
Stock-based compensation		4,109	6,196	6,661
Repurchases of common stock		(26,210)	(10,409)	(7,422)
Shares issued in connection with stock-based compensation plans, net		1,276	919	(87)
Increase in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition				81
Decrease in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition			(218)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		(458)	(574)	(514)
Ending Balance		162,567	175,446	186,964
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		3,191	1,275	968
Additional Paid-In Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		58,793	53,170	48,108
Stock-based compensation		4,109	6,196	6,661
Shares issued in connection with stock-based compensation plans, net		490	(355)	(1,623)
Increase in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition				24
Decrease in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition			(218)
Ending Balance		63,392	58,793	53,170
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		273,607	269,686	261,562
Net income	[1]	12,485	25,978	27,665
Cash dividends paid (Class A - $0.28 per share, Class B - $0.20 per share)		(13,171)	(13,528)	(13,700)
Repurchases of common stock		(23,370)	(9,171)	(6,533)
Shares issued in connection with stock-based compensation plans, net		0	642	692
Ending Balance		249,551	273,607	269,686
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(216,447)	(196,477)	(211,773)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		9,540	(19,970)	15,296
Ending Balance		(206,907)	(216,447)	(196,477)
Shareholders' Investment Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		171,288	182,320	153,883
Net income	[1]	12,485	25,978	27,665
Other comprehensive income (loss)		9,540	(19,970)	15,296
Cash dividends paid (Class A - $0.28 per share, Class B - $0.20 per share)		(13,171)	(13,528)	(13,700)
Stock-based compensation		4,109	6,196	6,661
Repurchases of common stock		(26,210)	(10,409)	(7,422)
Shares issued in connection with stock-based compensation plans, net		1,276	919	(87)
Increase in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition				24
Decrease in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition			(218)
Ending Balance		159,317	171,288	182,320
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		4,158	4,644	5,381
Net income	[1]	232	886	526
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(682)	(798)	(806)
Increase in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition				57
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		(458)	(574)	(514)
Ending Balance		3,250	4,158	4,644
Class A Non-Voting | Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		30,927	31,439	31,296
Repurchases of common stock		(1,103)	(1,144)	(701)
Shares issued in connection with stock-based compensation plans, net		786	632	844
Ending Balance		30,610	30,927	31,439
Class B Voting | Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		24,408	24,502	24,690
Repurchases of common stock		(1,737)	(94)	(188)
Ending Balance		$ 22,671	$ 24,408	$ 24,502

[1] The total net income presented in the consolidated statement of shareholders' investment for the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 excludes $968, $1,275 and $3,191 respectively, in net loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests.