Crawford & Company (CRD-B) 10-Q6 Nov 142014 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
	Sep. 30, 2014	Common Class A	Common Class B
Document Information	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CRAWFORD & CO	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000025475	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	30,412,960	24,690,172

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	$293,831	$293,338	$857,396	$878,566
Reimbursements	21,079	20,118	53,925	68,144
Total Revenues	314,910	313,456	911,321	946,710
Costs and Expenses:	'	'	'	'
Costs of services provided, before reimbursements	213,442	212,375	625,584	638,049
Reimbursements	21,079	20,118	53,925	68,144
Total costs of services	234,521	232,493	679,509	706,193
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	59,348	56,702	179,980	174,077
Corporate interest expense, net of interest income	1,680	1,519	4,532	4,762
Total Costs and Expenses	295,549	290,714	864,021	885,032
Other Income	83	187	574	2,800
Income Before Income Taxes	19,444	22,929	47,874	64,478
Provision for Income Taxes	9,244	9,221	20,494	24,221
Net Income	10,200	13,708	27,380	40,257
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	-8	-303	-72	-105
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	$10,192	$13,405	$27,308	$40,152
Common Class A	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share - Basic:	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share - Basic (usd per share)	$0.19	$0.25	$0.52	$0.75
Earnings Per Share - Diluted:	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share - Diluted (usd per share)	$0.19	$0.25	$0.51	$0.74
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share (shares)	30,355	30,033	30,178	29,838
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share (shares)	30,988	30,872	30,957	30,690
Cash Dividends Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Cash Dividends Per Share (usd per share)	$0.07	$0.05	$0.17	$0.13
Common Class B	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share - Basic:	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share - Basic (usd per share)	$0.17	$0.24	$0.48	$0.72
Earnings Per Share - Diluted:	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share - Diluted (usd per share)	$0.17	$0.24	$0.47	$0.71
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share (shares)	24,690	24,690	24,690	24,690
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share (shares)	24,690	24,690	24,690	24,690
Cash Dividends Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Cash Dividends Per Share (usd per share)	$0.05	$0.04	$0.13	$0.10

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest income	$142	$232	$497	$585

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net Income	$10,200	$13,708	$27,380	$40,257
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):	'	'	'	'
Net foreign currency translation loss, net of tax	-1,325	-8,292	-1,245	-10,684
Amortization of actuarial losses for retirement plans included in net periodic pension cost, net of tax	1,952	2,249	5,452	6,591
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	627	-6,043	4,207	-4,093
Comprehensive Income	10,827	7,665	31,587	36,164
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-26	-60	101	69
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	$10,801	$7,605	$31,688	$36,233

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
OCI, Tax on foreign currency translation losses	($3)	$0	($106)	$0
OCI, Tax on amortization of actuarial losses on retirement plans included in net periodic pension cost	$928	$976	$2,772	$3,086

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$44,742	$75,953	[1]
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,794 and $10,234, respectively	187,460	160,350	[1]
Unbilled revenues, at estimated billable amounts	127,988	105,791	[1]
Income taxes receivable	3,729	5,150	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	28,040	22,437	[1]
Total Current Assets	391,959	369,681	[1]
Property and Equipment:	'	'
Property and equipment	154,482	155,326	[1]
Less accumulated depreciation	-112,576	-109,643	[1]
Net Property and Equipment	41,906	45,683	[1]
Other Assets:	'	'
Goodwill	134,122	132,777	[1]
Intangible assets arising from business acquisitions, net	77,313	82,103	[1]
Capitalized software costs, net	73,974	72,761	[1]
Deferred income tax assets	60,887	61,375	[1]
Other noncurrent assets	28,167	25,678	[1]
Total Other Assets	374,463	374,694	[1]
TOTAL ASSETS	808,328	790,058	[1]
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Short-term borrowings	46,370	35,000	[1]
Accounts payable	47,659	50,941	[1]
Accrued compensation and related costs	68,331	98,656	[1]
Self-insured risks	13,753	13,100	[1]
Income taxes payable	11,006	3,476	[1]
Deferred income taxes	14,338	15,063	[1]
Deferred rent	14,438	16,062	[1]
Other accrued liabilities	33,104	34,270	[1]
Deferred revenues	51,199	49,950	[1]
Current installments of long-term debt and capital leases	808	875	[1]
Total Current Liabilities	301,006	317,393	[1]
Noncurrent Liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current installments	141,198	101,770	[1]
Deferred revenues	27,544	26,893	[1]
Self-insured risks	10,872	12,530	[1]
Accrued pension liabilities	76,740	102,960	[1]
Other noncurrent liabilities	22,208	20,979	[1]
Total Noncurrent Liabilities	278,562	265,132	[1]
Shareholdersb Investment:	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	40,524	39,285	[1]
Retained earnings	301,345	285,165	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-174,830	-179,210	[1]
Shareholders' Investment Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	222,138	199,805	[1]
Noncontrolling interests	6,622	7,728	[1]
Total Shareholdersb Investment	228,760	207,533	[1]
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERSb INVESTMENT	808,328	790,058	[1]
Common Class A	'	'
Shareholdersb Investment:	'	'
Class A common stock, $1.00 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 30,409 and 29,875 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 2013, respectively. Class B common stock, $1.00 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 24,690 shares issued and outstanding	30,409	29,875	[1]
Common Class B	'	'
Shareholdersb Investment:	'	'
Class A common stock, $1.00 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 30,409 and 29,875 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 2013, respectively. Class B common stock, $1.00 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 24,690 shares issued and outstanding	$24,690	$24,690	[1]

[1]	Derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current Assets	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$9,794	$10,234	[1]
Common Class A	'	'
Shareholdersb Investment:	'	'
Par or stated value per share (usd per share)	$1	$1	[1]
Shares authorized (shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000	[1]
Shares issued (shares)	30,409,000	29,875,000	[1]
Shares outstanding (shares)	30,409,000	29,875,000	[1]
Common Class B	'	'
Shareholdersb Investment:	'	'
Par or stated value per share (usd per share)	$1	$1	[1]
Shares authorized (shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000	[1]
Shares issued (shares)	24,690,000	24,690,000	[1]
Shares outstanding (shares)	24,690,000	24,690,000	[1]

[1]	derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:	'		'
Net Income	$27,380		$40,257
Reconciliation of net income to net cash used in operating activities:	'		'
Depreciation and amortization	28,102		24,977
Stock-based compensation	1,931		2,464
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:	'		'
Accounts receivable, net	-28,566		-40,189
Unbilled revenues, net	-23,083		-1,238
Accrued or prepaid income taxes	9,777		10,091
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-36,470		-31,735
Deferred revenues	1,831		-358
Accrued retirement costs	-20,334		-17,057
Prepaid expenses and other operating activities	-4,816		3,296
Net cash used in operating activities	-44,248		-9,492
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:	'		'
Acquisitions of property and equipment	-9,207		-8,300
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment	1,289		0
Capitalization of computer software costs	-12,204		-11,790
Cash surrendered in sale of business	-1,554		0
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-3,324		-2,515
Net cash used in investing activities	-25,000		-22,605
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:	'		'
Cash dividends paid	-8,353		-6,358
Payments related to shares received for withholding taxes under stock-based compensation plans	-1,361		-880
Proceeds from shares purchased under employee stock-based compensation plans	1,268		1,712
Repurchases of common stock	-3,157		-1,913
Increases in short-term and revolving credit facility borrowings	118,777		79,160
Payments on short-term and revolving credit facility borrowings	-67,295		-57,200
Payments on capital lease obligations	-661		-607
Other financing activities	-410		-227
Net cash provided by financing activities	38,808		13,687
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-771		-1,606
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-31,211		-20,016
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	75,953	[1]	71,157
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$44,742		$51,141

[1]	Derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Investment (USD $)	3 Months Ended							9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Beginning Balance	$219,844	$205,027	$207,533	[1]	$169,920	$150,362	$141,799	$207,533	[1]	$141,799
Net income (loss)	10,200	10,594	6,586		13,708	16,868	9,681	27,380		40,257
Other comprehensive income (loss)	627	6,452	-2,872		-6,043	759	1,191	4,207		-4,093
Cash dividends paid	-3,362	-2,502	-2,489		-2,490	-1,943	-1,925	'		'
Stock-based compensation	1,188	1,192	-449		632	1,244	588	'		'
Common stock activity, net	488	-919	-2,502		-551	442	-972	'		'
Decrease in value of noncontrolling interest due to sale of controlling interest	'	'	-638		'	'	'	'		'
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	-225	'	-142		-216	'	'	'		'
Increase in value of noncontrolling interest due to the acquisition of a controlling interest	'	'	'		'	2,188	'	'		'
Ending Balance	228,760	219,844	205,027		174,960	169,920	150,362	228,760		174,960
Shareholders' Investment Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Beginning Balance	213,023	198,504	199,805		162,261	144,862	136,199	199,805		136,199
Net income (loss)	10,192	10,464	6,652		13,405	17,008	9,739	'		'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	609	6,284	-2,513		-5,800	648	1,233	'		'
Cash dividends paid	-3,362	-2,502	-2,489		-2,490	-1,943	-1,925	'		'
Stock-based compensation	1,188	1,192	-449		632	1,244	588	'		'
Common stock activity, net	488	-919	-2,502		-551	442	-972	'		'
Ending Balance	222,138	213,023	198,504		167,457	162,261	144,862	222,138		167,457
Additional Paid-In Capital	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Beginning Balance	38,720	37,365	39,285		36,839	35,006	35,550	39,285		35,550
Stock-based compensation	1,188	1,192	-449		632	1,244	588	'		'
Common stock activity, net	616	163	-1,471		387	589	-1,132	'		'
Ending Balance	40,524	38,720	37,365		37,858	36,839	35,006	40,524		37,858
Retained Earnings	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Beginning Balance	294,837	288,110	285,165		268,349	253,801	246,105	285,165		246,105
Net income (loss)	10,192	10,464	6,652		13,405	17,008	9,739	'		'
Cash dividends paid	-3,362	-2,502	-2,489		-2,490	-1,943	-1,925	'		'
Common stock activity, net	-322	-1,235	-1,218		-954	-517	-118	'		'
Ending Balance	301,345	294,837	288,110		278,310	268,349	253,801	301,345		278,310
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Beginning Balance	-175,439	-181,723	-179,210		-197,600	-198,248	-199,481	-179,210		-199,481
Other comprehensive income (loss)	609	6,284	-2,513		-5,800	648	1,233	'		'
Ending Balance	-174,830	-175,439	-181,723		-203,400	-197,600	-198,248	-174,830		-203,400
Noncontrolling Interests	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Beginning Balance	6,821	6,523	7,728		7,659	5,500	5,600	7,728		5,600
Net income (loss)	8	130	-66		303	-140	-58	'		'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	18	168	-359		-243	111	-42	'		'
Decrease in value of noncontrolling interest due to sale of controlling interest	'	'	-638		'	'	'	'		'
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	-225	'	-142		-216	'	'	'		'
Increase in value of noncontrolling interest due to the acquisition of a controlling interest	'	'	'		'	2,188	'	'		'
Ending Balance	6,622	6,821	6,523		7,503	7,659	5,500	6,622		7,503
Common Class A \| Common Stock	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'	'	'	'		'
Beginning Balance	30,215	30,062	29,875		29,983	29,613	29,335	29,875		29,335
Common stock activity, net	194	153	187		16	370	278	'		'
Ending Balance	30,409	30,215	30,062		29,999	29,983	29,613	30,409		29,999
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	0	'		'
Ending Balance	$24,690	$24,690	$24,690		$24,690	$24,690	$24,690	$24,690		$24,690

[1]	Derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Operating results for the three months and nine months ended, and our financial position as of, September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results or financial position that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014 or for other future periods. The financial results of the Company's international subsidiaries, other than those in Canada, the Caribbean, and certain subsidiaries in the Philippines, are included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements on a two-month delayed basis (fiscal year-end of October 31) as permitted by GAAP in order to provide sufficient time for accumulation of their results.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals and adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies and estimates from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on our reported consolidated results. Significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet information presented herein as of December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The Company consolidates the liabilities of its deferred compensation plan and the related assets, which are held in a rabbi trust and considered a variable interest entity ("VIE") of the Company. The rabbi trust was created to fund the liabilities of the Company's deferred compensation plan. The Company is considered the primary beneficiary of the rabbi trust because the Company directs the activities of the trust and can use the assets of the trust to satisfy the liabilities of the Company's deferred compensation plan. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the liabilities of the deferred compensation plan were $10,842,000 and $10,322,000, respectively, which represented obligations of the Company rather than of the rabbi trust, and the values of the assets held in the related rabbi trust were $15,420,000 and $15,140,000, respectively. These liabilities and assets are included in "Other noncurrent liabilities" and "Other noncurrent assets," respectively, on the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The Company owns 51% of the capital stock of Lloyd Warwick International Limited (“LWI”). The Company has agreed to provide financial support to LWI of up to approximately $10,000,000. Crawford provides more than half of the financial support for LWI, and LWI lacks sufficient equity at risk to permit LWI to carry on its activities without this additional financial support. Crawford is the primary beneficiary of LWI because of its controlling ownership interest and because Crawford has the obligation to absorb LWI's losses through the additional financial support that Crawford is obligated to provide, if necessary. As a result, LWI is considered a VIE of the Company. Creditors of LWI have no recourse to Crawford's assets. Total assets and liabilities of LWI as of September 30, 2014 were $4,900,000 and $7,162,000, respectively. Included in LWI's total liabilities is a loan from Crawford of $6,067,000.

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions and Dispositions	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions	'
	Acquisitions and Dispositions
	The Company sold its 74.9% ownership interest in Crawford South Africa in February 2014 to the noncontrolling interest holder at net book value. Net assets sold amounted to $2,542,000, including cash of $1,554,000. The sale was financed with a loan receivable due in two years. The Company had previously recognized a loss on the disposal of this entity of $474,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013. The results of Crawford South Africa were not material to the Company. The Company has an obligation to refer any work it receives within South Africa to the buyer and is entitled to a royalty equal to 2% of the buyer's future revenues in exchange for the continued use of the Crawford name, until either party gives 12 months notice to terminate the ongoing relationship. The buyer is not a related party of the Company.
	On July 15, 2014, the Company acquired 100% of the capital stock of Buckley Scott Holdings Limited ("Buckley Scott"), a U.K.-based international construction and engineering adjusting firm, for $3,812,000. Net assets purchased totaled $1,437,000, including $488,000 cash acquired. A deferred tax liability of $338,000 was recognized on the acquired intangible assets. The agreement contains an earnout provision based on Buckley Scott achieving certain operating earnings measures during the two-year period following the completion of the acquisition, with an estimated fair value of $1,131,000. The opening balance sheet included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets is preliminary, as additional information on unbilled accounts receivable and accrued liabilities is expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter. In addition, the Company is in the process of obtaining final third-party valuations of certain intangible assets; thus, the provisional measurements of intangible assets, goodwill and deferred income tax assets are subject to change. The difference between the purchase price and the preliminary allocation to the net assets acquired represents customer relationship intangibles of $1,520,000, with a 15-year useful life, trade name intangibles of $169,000 with a 2-year useful life, and $2,155,000 of goodwill with an indefinite life, representing the estimated value of the assembled workforce and expected synergies with existing business. The acquisition should enable the Company to significantly expand its construction and engineering business in the U.K., the London Market, and internationally. The results for Buckley Scott have been included in the EMEA/AP segment since the acquisition date.

Pending_Adoption_of_Recently_I

Pending Adoption of Recently Issued Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
Pending Adoption of Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Pending Adoption of Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Pending Adoption of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Codification ("ASU") 2014-15, "Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern." Under ASU 2014-15, management of public companies will be required to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The Company does not expect this ASU will have an impact on its financial statements or disclosures upon adoption.
	Revenue from Contracts with Customers
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." Under ASU 2014-09, companies will be required to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration (that is, payment) to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also will result in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provide guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively (for example, service revenue and contract modifications) and modify guidance for multiple-element arrangements. The revenue standard will be introduced into the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification as Topic 606 and will replace the previous guidance on revenue recognition in Topic 605. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017, with transition to the new standard following either a full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach (i.e., an approach that would allow the standard to be applied beginning with the current period, with no restatement of the comparative periods, but additional disclosures will be required). Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this standard may have on its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	9 Months Ended
Derivative Instruments	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments	'
	Derivative Instruments
	In February 2011, the Company entered into a U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar ("CAD") cross currency basis swap with an initial notional amount of CAD34,749,000 as an economic hedge to an intercompany note payable to the U.S. parent by a Canadian subsidiary. The cross currency basis swap requires the Canadian subsidiary to deliver quarterly payments of CAD589,000 to the counterparty and entitles the U.S. parent to receive quarterly payments of U.S. $593,000. The Canadian subsidiary also makes interest payments to the counterparty based on 3-month Canada Bankers Acceptances plus a spread, and the U.S. parent receives payments based on U.S. 3-month LIBOR. The cross currency basis swap expires on September 30, 2025. The Company has elected to not designate this swap as a hedge of the intercompany note from the Canadian subsidiary. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of this swap, as well as changes in the value of the intercompany note, are recorded as gains or losses in "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income over the term of the swap and are expected to substantially offset one another. The changes in the fair value of the cross currency basis swap will not exactly offset changes in the value of the intercompany note, as the fair value of this swap is determined based on forward rates while the value of the intercompany note is determined based on end of period spot rates. The net gains and losses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were not significant. The Company believes there have been no material changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparty to this cross currency basis swap agreement and believes the risk of nonperformance by such party is minimal.
	The Company’s swap agreement contains a provision providing that if the Company is in default under its Credit Facility, the Company may also be deemed to be in default under its swap agreement. If there were such a default, the Company could be required to contemporaneously settle some or all of the obligation under the swap agreement at values determined at the time of default. At September 30, 2014, no such default existed, and the Company had no assets posted as collateral under its swap agreement.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company’s consolidated effective income tax rate may change periodically due to changes in enacted tax rates, fluctuations in the mix of income earned from the Company’s various domestic and international operations, which are subject to income taxes at different rates, the Company’s ability to utilize net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, and amounts related to uncertain income tax positions. At September 30, 2014, the Company estimates that its effective annual income tax rate for 2014 will be approximately 41% before considering any discrete items.

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plans	'
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans
	Net periodic benefit cost related to all of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans recognized in the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 included the following components:


		Three months ended						Nine months ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	694		$	703		$	2,098		$	2,073

	Interest cost	8,937			8,237			26,851			24,555

	Expected return on assets	(11,498		)	(10,659		)	(34,560		)	(31,685		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	3,123			3,210			8,967			9,760

	Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,256		$	1,491		$	3,356		$	4,703

	For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, the Company made contributions of $14,850,000 and $5,204,000, respectively, to its underfunded U.S. and U.K. defined benefit pension plans, compared with contributions of $15,350,000 and $4,759,000, respectively, in the comparable period in 2013. The Company is not required to make any additional contributions to its U.S. defined benefit pension plan or to the U.K. plans for the remainder of 2014; however, the Company expects to make additional contributions of approximately $1,700,000 to its U.K. plans during the remainder of 2014.

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share	'
	Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share
	The Company computes earnings per share of its non-voting Class A Common Stock ("CRDA") and voting Class B Common Stock ("CRDB") using the two-class method, which allocates the undistributed earnings in each period to each class on a proportionate basis. The Company's Board of Directors has the right, but not the obligation, to declare higher dividends on the CRDA shares than on the CRDB shares, subject to certain limitations. In periods when the dividend is the same for CRDA and CRDB or when no dividends are declared or paid to either class, the two-class method generally will yield the same earnings per share for CRDA and CRDB. During the first three quarters of 2014 and 2013 the Board of Directors declared a higher dividend on CRDA than on CRDB.
	The computations of basic net income attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company per common share were as follows:


		Three months ended										Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
		2014						2013				2014				2013
	(in thousands, except earnings per share amounts)	CRDA			CRDB			CRDA		CRDB		CRDA		CRDB		CRDA		CRDB
	Earnings per share - basic:
	Numerator:
	Allocation of undistributed earnings	$	3,766		$	3,064		$	5,990	$	4,925	$	10,425	$	8,530	$	18,492	$	15,302

	Dividends paid	2,128			1,234			1,502		988		5,144		3,209		3,889		2,469

	Net income available to common shareholders, basic	$	5,894		$	4,298		$	7,492	$	5,913	$	15,569	$	11,739	$	22,381	$	17,771



	Denominator:

	Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic	30,355			24,690			30,033		24,690		30,178		24,690		29,838		24,690

	Earnings per share - basic	$	0.19		$	0.17		$	0.25	$	0.24	$	0.52	$	0.48	$	0.75	$	0.72

	The computations of diluted net income attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company per common share were as follows:


		Three months ended										Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
		2014						2013				2014				2013
	(in thousands, except earnings per share amounts)	CRDA			CRDB			CRDA		CRDB		CRDA		CRDB		CRDA		CRDB
	Earnings per share - diluted:
	Numerator:
	Allocation of undistributed earnings	$	3,801		$	3,029		$	6,065	$	4,850	$	10,545	$	8,410	$	18,728	$	15,066

	Dividends paid	2,128			1,234			1,502		988		5,144		3,209		3,889		2,469

	Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$	5,929		$	4,263		$	7,567	$	5,838	$	15,689	$	11,619	$	22,617	$	17,535


	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic	30,355			24,690			30,033		24,690		30,178		24,690		29,838		24,690

	Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities	633			—			839		—		779		—		852		—

		30,988			24,690			30,872		24,690		30,957		24,690		30,690		24,690

	Earnings per share - diluted	$	0.19		$	0.17		$	0.25	$	0.24	$	0.51	$	0.47	$	0.74	$	0.71

	Listed below are the shares excluded from the denominator in the above computation of diluted earnings per share for CRDA because their inclusion would have been antidilutive:


		Three months ended					Nine months ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,			September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Shares underlying stock options excluded due to the options' respective exercise prices being greater than the average stock price during the period	—			1,244		—		1,175

	Performance stock grants excluded because performance conditions had not been met (1)	2,267			2,084		2,267		2,084

	________________________________________________

	(1)	Compensation cost is recognized for these performance stock grants based on expected achievement rates; however, no consideration is given to these performance stock grants when calculating earnings per share until the performance measurements have actually been achieved. As of September 30, 2014, the Company does not expect these performance measurements to be achieved by December 31, 2014.
The following table details shares issued during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. These shares are included from their dates of issuance in the weighted-average common shares used to compute basic earnings per share for CRDA in the table above. There were no shares of CRDB issued during any of these periods.


	Three months ended						Nine months ended
(in thousands)	September 30,			September 30,			September 30,		September 30,
	2014			2013			2014		2013
CRDA issued under non-employee director stock plan	2			6			62		64

CRDA issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	155			147			155		147

CRDA issued under the U.K. ShareSave Scheme	3			5			264		490

CRDA issued under the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan	12			11			12		11

CRDA issued under Executive Stock Bonus Plan	66			20			317		265

CRDA issued upon stock option plan exercises	—			—			106		12

In May 2012, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the "2012 Repurchase Authorization") under which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to 2,000,000 shares of its common stock (either CRDA or CRDB or both) through May 2015. Effective August 16, 2014, the 2012 Repurchase Authorization was replaced with a new authorization pursuant to which the Company has been authorized to repurchase up to 2,000,000 shares of CRDA or CRDB (or both) through July 2017 (the "2014 Repurchase Authorization"). Under the 2014 Repurchase Authorization, repurchases may be made in open market or privately negotiated transactions at such times and for such prices as management deems appropriate, subject to applicable contractual and regulatory restrictions.
During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company repurchased 44,254 and 382,192 shares of CRDA, respectively, at an average cost of $8.27 and $8.26 per share, respectively. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repurchased 172,752 and 325,372 shares of CRDA, respectively, at an average cost of $6.53 and $5.88 per share, respectively. The Company did not repurchase any shares of CRDB during any of these periods.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Comprehensive income (loss) for the Company consists of the total of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, and accrued pension and retiree medical liability adjustments. The changes in components of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" ("AOCL"), net of taxes and noncontrolling interests, included in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were as follows:


		Three months ended September 30, 2014									Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company			Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company
	Beginning balance	$	3,815		$	(179,254	)	$	(175,439	)	$	3,544		$	(182,754	)	$	(179,210	)

	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(1,343		)	—			(1,343		)	(1,072		)	—			(1,072		)

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			1,952			1,952			—			5,452			5,452

	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(1,343		)	1,952			609			(1,072		)	5,452			4,380

	Ending balance	$	2,472		$	(177,302	)	$	(174,830	)	$	2,472		$	(177,302	)	$	(174,830	)





		Three months ended September 30, 2013									Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company			Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company
	Beginning balance	$	5,317		$	(202,917	)	$	(197,600	)	$	7,778		$	(207,259	)	$	(199,481	)

	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(8,049		)	—			(8,049		)	(10,510		)	—			(10,510		)

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			2,249			2,249			—			6,591			6,591

	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(8,049		)	2,249			(5,800		)	(10,510		)	6,591			(3,919		)

	Ending balance	$	(2,732	)	$	(200,668	)	$	(203,400	)	$	(2,732	)	$	(200,668	)	$	(203,400	)
	________________________________________________

	(1)	Retirement liabilities reclassified to net income are related to the amortization of actuarial losses and are included in "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" in the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 6, "Defined Benefit Pension Plans" for additional details.
	The other comprehensive income (loss) amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests shown in the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Investment are foreign currency translation adjustments.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy:

Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2014

Significant Other

Significant

Quoted Prices in

Observable

Unobservable

Active Markets

Inputs

(in thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Assets:

Money market funds (1)

—

Derivative not designated as hedging instrument:

Cross currency basis swap (2)

2,375

—

2,375

—

Liabilities:

Contingent earnout liability (3)

1,131

________________________________________________

(1)

The fair values of the money market funds were based on recently quoted market prices and reported transactions in an active marketplace. Money market funds are included in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Cash and cash equivalents."

(2)

The fair value of the cross currency basis swap was derived from a discounted cash flow analysis based on the terms of the swap and the forward curves for foreign currency rates and interest rates adjusted for the counterparty’s credit risk. The fair value of the cross currency basis swap is included in "Other noncurrent assets" on the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon the term of the cross currency basis swap.

(3)

The fair value of the contingent earnout liability for the Buckley Scott acquisition was estimated using an internally-prepared probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis. The fair value analysis relied upon both Level 2 data (publicly observable data such as market interest rates and capital structures of peer companies) and Level 3 data (internal data such as the Company's operating projections). As such, these are Level 3 fair value measurements. The valuation is sensitive to Level 3 data, with the maximum possible earnout of $2,216,000. As such, the fair value is not expected to vary materially from the balance recorded. The fair value of the contingent earnout liability is included in "Other noncurrent liabilities" on the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon the term of the contingent earnout agreement.

Fair Value Disclosures

There were no transfers of assets between fair value levels during the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2014. The categorization of assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy and the measurement techniques are reviewed quarterly. Any transfers between levels are deemed to have occurred at the end of the quarter.

The fair values of accounts receivable, unbilled revenues, accounts payable and short-term borrowings approximate their respective carrying values due to the short-term maturities of the instruments. The interest rate on the Company's variable rate long-term debt resets at least every 90 days; therefore, the carrying value approximates fair value. These assets and liabilities are measured within Level 2 of the hierarchy.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company reduced the fair value of a contingent consideration liability for a previous acquisition from $2,000,000 to zero. In addition, the Company impaired and expensed $1,271,000 of intangible assets from the same acquisition. Both amounts are included as a component of the Legal Settlement Administration segment operating earnings. In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, the amounts are included as a component of "Selling, general, and administrative expenses." Management concluded that expectations about future results indicated the contingent consideration will not be paid and, accordingly, the value of the intangible assets was impaired.

The fair values of both items were estimated using an internally-prepared probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis. The fair value analysis relied upon both Level 2 data (publicly observable data such as market interest rates and capital structures of peer companies) and Level 3 data (internal data such as the Company's operating projections). As such, these were Level 3 fair value measurements.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	Financial information for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 related to the Company’s reportable segments, including a reconciliation from segment operating earnings to income before income taxes, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is presented below.


		Three months ended								Nine months ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Revenues:
	Americas	$	92,181			$	95,879			$	273,673			$	262,757

	Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific ("EMEA/AP")	86,173				84,007				253,755				259,189

	Broadspire	68,242				63,323				199,706				186,888

	Legal Settlement Administration	47,235				50,129				130,262				169,732

	Total segment revenues before reimbursements	293,831				293,338				857,396				878,566

	Reimbursements	21,079				20,118				53,925				68,144

	Total revenues	$	314,910			$	313,456			$	911,321			$	946,710


	Segment Operating Earnings:
	Americas	$	7,036			$	9,718			$	22,112			$	17,355

	EMEA/AP	4,225				4,272				10,435				19,486

	Broadspire	4,422				1,884				9,140				4,475

	Legal Settlement Administration	7,668				10,171				18,335				38,714

	Total segment operating earnings	23,351				26,045				60,022				80,030


	Deduct:
	Unallocated corporate and shared costs and credits, net	(500		)		275				(2,190		)		(5,355		)

	Net corporate interest expense	(1,680		)		(1,519		)		(4,532		)		(4,762		)
	Stock option expense	(184		)		(279		)		(680		)		(652		)
	Amortization of customer-relationship intangible assets	(1,543		)		(1,593		)		(4,746		)		(4,783		)
	Income before income taxes	$	19,444			$	22,929			$	47,874			$	64,478

	Intersegment transactions are not material for any period presented.
	Operating earnings is the primary financial performance measure used by the Company’s senior management and chief operating decision maker ("CODM") to evaluate the financial performance of the Company’s four operating segments and make resource allocation decisions. The Company believes this measure is useful to others in that it allows them to evaluate segment operating performance using the same criteria used by the Company’s senior management and CODM. Operating earnings will differ from net income computed in accordance with GAAP since operating earnings represent segment earnings before certain unallocated corporate and shared costs and credits, net corporate interest expense, stock option expense, amortization of customer-relationship intangible assets, income taxes, and net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests.
	Segment operating earnings includes allocations of certain corporate and shared costs. If the Company changes its allocation methods or changes the types of costs that are allocated to its four operating segments, prior period amounts presented in the current period financial statements are adjusted to conform to the current allocation process.
	Revenues by major service line in the U.S. and by area for other regions in the Americas segment and by major service line for the Broadspire segment are shown in the following table. It is not practicable to provide revenues by service line for the EMEA/AP segment. The Company considers all Legal Settlement Administration revenues to be derived from one service line.


		Three months ended								Nine months ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Americas
	U.S. Claims Field Operations	$	23,843			$	27,253			$	75,798			$	79,055

	U.S. Technical Services	6,044				6,827				19,069				21,365

	U.S. Catastrophe Services	12,301				13,932				30,098				31,031

	Subtotal U.S. Claims Services	42,188				48,012				124,965				131,451

	U.S. Contractor Connection	12,637				9,137				39,767				26,696

Subtotal U.S. Property & Casualty	54,825				57,149				164,732				158,147

Canada--all service lines	33,575				34,480				98,083				92,815

Latin America/Caribbean--all service lines	3,781				4,250				10,858				11,795

Total Revenues before Reimbursements--Americas	$	92,181			$	95,879			$	273,673			$	262,757


Broadspire
Workers' Compensation and Liability Claims Management	$	28,109			$	26,922			$	84,113			$	79,595

Medical Management	36,257				32,588				104,103				95,581

Risk Management Information Services	3,876				3,813				11,490				11,712

Total Revenues before Reimbursements--Broadspire	$	68,242			$	63,323			$	199,706			$	186,888

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	As part of the Company’s credit facility, the Company maintains a letter of credit facility to satisfy certain of its own contractual requirements. At September 30, 2014, the aggregate committed amount of letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility was $17,511,000.
	In the normal course of its business, the Company is sometimes named as a defendant or responsible party in suits or other actions by insureds or claimants contesting decisions made by the Company or its clients with respect to the settlement of claims. Additionally, certain clients of the Company have in the past brought, and may in the future bring, actions for indemnification on the basis of alleged negligence by the Company, its agents, or its employees in rendering services to clients. The majority of these claims are of the type covered by insurance maintained by the Company. However, the Company is responsible for the deductibles and self-insured retentions under various insurance coverages. In the opinion of Company management, adequate provisions have been made for such known and foreseeable risks.
	The Company is subject to numerous federal, state, and foreign employment laws, and from time to time the Company faces claims by its employees and former employees under such laws. Such claims or litigation involving the Company or any of the Company’s current or former employees could divert management’s time and attention from the Company’s business operations and could potentially result in substantial costs of defense, settlement or other disposition, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. In the opinion of Company management, adequate provisions have been made for items that are probable and reasonably estimable.

Special_Charges_and_Other_Inco

Special Charges and Other Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Special Charges and Other Income	'
	Special Charges and Other Income
	Special Charges
	There were no special charges during the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.
	As of September 30, 2014, the following liabilities remained on the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related to special charges recorded in 2012. The rollforwards of these costs to September 30, 2014 follow:


		Three months ended September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Deferred rent			Accrued compensation and related costs			Other accrued liabilities			Other noncurrent liabilities			Total
	Beginning balance, June 30, 2014	$	1,942		$	255		$	120		$	432		$	2,749

	Adjustments to accruals	(253		)	—			(30		)	—			(283		)

	Cash payments	—			(79		)	(90		)	(68		)	(237		)

	Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,689		$	176		$	—		$	364		$	2,229




		Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Deferred rent			Accrued compensation and related costs			Other accrued liabilities			Other noncurrent liabilities			Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2014	$	2,664		$	498		$	303		$	584		$	4,049

	Adjustments to accruals	(975		)	—			(30		)	—			(1,005		)

	Cash payments	—			(322		)	(273		)	(220		)	(815		)

	Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,689		$	176		$	—		$	364		$	2,229

	Other Income
	Other income consists of dividend income from our unconsolidated subsidiaries and miscellaneous other income. Included in "Other income" for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was a $2,286,000 gain from the sale of the rights to a customer contract in Latin America. During the first nine months of 2014 there was a $418,000 gain under the contingent consideration provisions of the same sale agreement. These amounts were included in the Americas segment operating earnings.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Consolidation, variable interest entity, policy	'
Consolidation, variable interest entity, policy	The Company consolidates the liabilities of its deferred compensation plan and the related assets, which are held in a rabbi trust and considered a variable interest entity ("VIE") of the Company. The rabbi trust was created to fund the liabilities of the Company's deferred compensation plan. The Company is considered the primary beneficiary of the rabbi trust because the Company directs the activities of the trust and can use the assets of the trust to satisfy the liabilities of the Company's deferred compensation plan.
Earnings per share, policy	'
Earnings per share, policy	The Company computes earnings per share of its non-voting Class A Common Stock ("CRDA") and voting Class B Common Stock ("CRDB") using the two-class method, which allocates the undistributed earnings in each period to each class on a proportionate basis. The Company's Board of Directors has the right, but not the obligation, to declare higher dividends on the CRDA shares than on the CRDB shares, subject to certain limitations. In periods when the dividend is the same for CRDA and CRDB or when no dividends are declared or paid to either class, the two-class method generally will yield the same earnings per share for CRDA and CRDB. During the first three quarters of 2014 and 2013 the Board of Directors declared a higher dividend on CRDA than on CRDB.

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_

Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of defined benefit plans disclosures	'
	Net periodic benefit cost related to all of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans recognized in the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 included the following components:


		Three months ended						Nine months ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	694		$	703		$	2,098		$	2,073

	Interest cost	8,937			8,237			26,851			24,555

	Expected return on assets	(11,498		)	(10,659		)	(34,560		)	(31,685		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	3,123			3,210			8,967			9,760

	Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,256		$	1,491		$	3,356		$	4,703

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha1

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of earnings per share, basic	'
	The computations of basic net income attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company per common share were as follows:


		Three months ended											Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,					September 30,				September 30,
		2014						2013					2014				2013
	(in thousands, except earnings per share amounts)	CRDA		CRDB				CRDA			CRDB		CRDA		CRDB		CRDA		CRDB
	Earnings per share - basic:
	Numerator:
	Allocation of undistributed earnings	$	3,766	$	3,064			$	5,990		$	4,925	$	10,425	$	8,530	$	18,492	$	15,302

	Dividends paid	2,128		1,234				1,502			988		5,144		3,209		3,889		2,469

	Net income available to common shareholders, basic	$	5,894	$	4,298			$	7,492		$	5,913	$	15,569	$	11,739	$	22,381	$	17,771



	Denominator:

	Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic	30,355		24,690				30,033			24,690		30,178		24,690		29,838		24,690

	Earnings per share - basic	$	0.19	$	0.17			$	0.25		$	0.24	$	0.52	$	0.48	$	0.75	$	0.72

Schedule of earnings per share, diluted	'
	The computations of diluted net income attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company per common share were as follows:


		Three months ended											Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,					September 30,				September 30,
		2014						2013					2014				2013
	(in thousands, except earnings per share amounts)	CRDA		CRDB				CRDA			CRDB		CRDA		CRDB		CRDA		CRDB
	Earnings per share - diluted:
	Numerator:
	Allocation of undistributed earnings	$	3,801	$	3,029			$	6,065		$	4,850	$	10,545	$	8,410	$	18,728	$	15,066

	Dividends paid	2,128		1,234				1,502			988		5,144		3,209		3,889		2,469

	Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$	5,929	$	4,263			$	7,567		$	5,838	$	15,689	$	11,619	$	22,617	$	17,535


	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic	30,355		24,690				30,033			24,690		30,178		24,690		29,838		24,690

	Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities	633		—				839			—		779		—		852		—

		30,988		24,690				30,872			24,690		30,957		24,690		30,690		24,690

	Earnings per share - diluted	$	0.19	$	0.17			$	0.25		$	0.24	$	0.51	$	0.47	$	0.74	$	0.71

Schedule of antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	'
	Listed below are the shares excluded from the denominator in the above computation of diluted earnings per share for CRDA because their inclusion would have been antidilutive:


		Three months ended				Nine months ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,		September 30,		September 30,			September 30,
		2014		2013		2014			2013
	Shares underlying stock options excluded due to the options' respective exercise prices being greater than the average stock price during the period	—		1,244		—			1,175

	Performance stock grants excluded because performance conditions had not been met (1)	2,267		2,084		2,267			2,084

	________________________________________________

	(1)	Compensation cost is recognized for these performance stock grants based on expected achievement rates; however, no consideration is given to these performance stock grants when calculating earnings per share until the performance measurements have actually been achieved. As of September 30, 2014, the Company does not expect these performance measurements to be achieved by December 31, 2014.
Schedule of shares issued under stock plans used in weighted average calc	'
	The following table details shares issued during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. These shares are included from their dates of issuance in the weighted-average common shares used to compute basic earnings per share for CRDA in the table above. There were no shares of CRDB issued during any of these periods.


		Three months ended					Nine months ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2014		2013			2014			2013
	CRDA issued under non-employee director stock plan	2		6			62			64

	CRDA issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	155		147			155			147

	CRDA issued under the U.K. ShareSave Scheme	3		5			264			490

	CRDA issued under the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan	12		11			12			11

	CRDA issued under Executive Stock Bonus Plan	66		20			317			265

	CRDA issued upon stock option plan exercises	—		—			106			12

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
	The changes in components of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" ("AOCL"), net of taxes and noncontrolling interests, included in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were as follows:


		Three months ended September 30, 2014									Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company			Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company
	Beginning balance	$	3,815		$	(179,254	)	$	(175,439	)	$	3,544		$	(182,754	)	$	(179,210	)

	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(1,343		)	—			(1,343		)	(1,072		)	—			(1,072		)

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			1,952			1,952			—			5,452			5,452

	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(1,343		)	1,952			609			(1,072		)	5,452			4,380

	Ending balance	$	2,472		$	(177,302	)	$	(174,830	)	$	2,472		$	(177,302	)	$	(174,830	)





		Three months ended September 30, 2013									Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company			Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company
	Beginning balance	$	5,317		$	(202,917	)	$	(197,600	)	$	7,778		$	(207,259	)	$	(199,481	)

	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(8,049		)	—			(8,049		)	(10,510		)	—			(10,510		)

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			2,249			2,249			—			6,591			6,591

	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(8,049		)	2,249			(5,800		)	(10,510		)	6,591			(3,919		)

	Ending balance	$	(2,732	)	$	(200,668	)	$	(203,400	)	$	(2,732	)	$	(200,668	)	$	(203,400	)
	________________________________________________

	(1)	Retirement liabilities reclassified to net income are related to the amortization of actuarial losses and are included in "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" in the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 6, "Defined Benefit Pension Plans" for additional details.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of fair value, assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy:

Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2014

Significant Other

Significant

Quoted Prices in

Observable

Unobservable

Active Markets

Inputs

(in thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Assets:

Money market funds (1)

—

Derivative not designated as hedging instrument:

Cross currency basis swap (2)

2,375

—

2,375

—

Liabilities:

Contingent earnout liability (3)

1,131

________________________________________________

(1)

(2)

(3)

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of operating profit from segments to consolidated	'
	Financial information for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 related to the Company’s reportable segments, including a reconciliation from segment operating earnings to income before income taxes, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is presented below.


		Three months ended						Nine months ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Americas	$	92,181		$	95,879		$	273,673		$	262,757

	Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific ("EMEA/AP")	86,173			84,007			253,755			259,189

	Broadspire	68,242			63,323			199,706			186,888

	Legal Settlement Administration	47,235			50,129			130,262			169,732

	Total segment revenues before reimbursements	293,831			293,338			857,396			878,566

	Reimbursements	21,079			20,118			53,925			68,144

	Total revenues	$	314,910		$	313,456		$	911,321		$	946,710


	Segment Operating Earnings:
	Americas	$	7,036		$	9,718		$	22,112		$	17,355

	EMEA/AP	4,225			4,272			10,435			19,486

	Broadspire	4,422			1,884			9,140			4,475

	Legal Settlement Administration	7,668			10,171			18,335			38,714

	Total segment operating earnings	23,351			26,045			60,022			80,030


	Deduct:
	Unallocated corporate and shared costs and credits, net	(500		)	275			(2,190		)	(5,355		)

	Net corporate interest expense	(1,680		)	(1,519		)	(4,532		)	(4,762		)
	Stock option expense	(184		)	(279		)	(680		)	(652		)
	Amortization of customer-relationship intangible assets	(1,543		)	(1,593		)	(4,746		)	(4,783		)
	Income before income taxes	$	19,444		$	22,929		$	47,874		$	64,478

Schedule of revenues by major service line	'
	Revenues by major service line in the U.S. and by area for other regions in the Americas segment and by major service line for the Broadspire segment are shown in the following table. It is not practicable to provide revenues by service line for the EMEA/AP segment. The Company considers all Legal Settlement Administration revenues to be derived from one service line.


		Three months ended						Nine months ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Americas
	U.S. Claims Field Operations	$	23,843		$	27,253		$	75,798		$	79,055

	U.S. Technical Services	6,044			6,827			19,069			21,365

	U.S. Catastrophe Services	12,301			13,932			30,098			31,031

	Subtotal U.S. Claims Services	42,188			48,012			124,965			131,451

	U.S. Contractor Connection	12,637			9,137			39,767			26,696

	Subtotal U.S. Property & Casualty	54,825			57,149			164,732			158,147

	Canada--all service lines	33,575			34,480			98,083			92,815

	Latin America/Caribbean--all service lines	3,781			4,250			10,858			11,795

	Total Revenues before Reimbursements--Americas	$	92,181		$	95,879		$	273,673		$	262,757


	Broadspire
	Workers' Compensation and Liability Claims Management	$	28,109		$	26,922		$	84,113		$	79,595

	Medical Management	36,257			32,588			104,103			95,581

	Risk Management Information Services	3,876			3,813			11,490			11,712

	Total Revenues before Reimbursements--Broadspire	$	68,242		$	63,323		$	199,706		$	186,888

Special_Charges_and_Other_Inco1

Special Charges and Other Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Rollforward of accrued liabilities	'
	The rollforwards of these costs to September 30, 2014 follow:


		Three months ended September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Deferred rent			Accrued compensation and related costs			Other accrued liabilities			Other noncurrent liabilities			Total
	Beginning balance, June 30, 2014	$	1,942		$	255		$	120		$	432		$	2,749

	Adjustments to accruals	(253		)	—			(30		)	—			(283		)

	Cash payments	—			(79		)	(90		)	(68		)	(237		)

	Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,689		$	176		$	—		$	364		$	2,229




		Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Deferred rent			Accrued compensation and related costs			Other accrued liabilities			Other noncurrent liabilities			Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2014	$	2,664		$	498		$	303		$	584		$	4,049

	Adjustments to accruals	(975		)	—			(30		)	—			(1,005		)

	Cash payments	—			(322		)	(273		)	(220		)	(815		)

	Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,689		$	176		$	—		$	364		$	2,229

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (Primary beneficiary, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Primary beneficiary	'	'
Variable Interest Entity	'	'
Liabilities of the deferred compensation plan	$10,842	$10,322
Assets held in the related rabbi trust	$15,420	$15,140

Basis_of_Presentation_Acquisit

Basis of Presentation (Acquisitions and Dispositions) (Details) (Lloyd Warwick International, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Lloyd Warwick International	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership percentage (percent)	51.00%
Maximum loss exposure	$10,000,000
Asset carrying amount	4,900,000
Liability carrying amount	7,162,000
Financial or other support	$6,067,000

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013		Feb. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 15, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014
					Crawford South Africa	Crawford South Africa	Buckley Scott	Buckley Scott	Customer relationships	Trade names
									Buckley Scott	Buckley Scott
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Sale of stock, percentage of ownership before transaction	'	'	'		74.90%	'	'	'	'	'
Net assets sold	'	'	'		$2,542	'	'	'	'	'
Cash divested from deconsolidation	1,554	0	'		1,554	'	'	'	'	'
Loan receivable, term of agreement	'	'	'		'2 years	'	'	'	'	'
Loss on disposition of business	'	'	'		'	474	'	'	'	'
Royalty percentage from future revenues	'	'	'		2.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired	'	'	'		'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
Payments to acquire businesses, gross	'	'	'		'	'	3,812	'	'	'
Business combination, recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net	'	'	'		'	'	'	1,437	'	'
Business combination, recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, cash and equivalents	'	'	'		'	'	'	488	'	'
Business combination, recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, deferred tax liabilities noncurrent	'	'	'		'	'	'	338	'	'
Business combination, contingent consideration arrangements, description	'	'	'		'	'	'2 years	'	'	'
Business combination, contingent consideration, liability	'	'	'		'	'	'	1,131	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	'	'	'		'	'	'	'	1,520	169
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	'	'	'		'	'	'	'	'15 years	'2 years
Goodwill	$134,122	'	$132,777	[1]	'	'	'	$2,155	'	'

[1]	Derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet

Derivative_Instruments_Details

Derivative Instruments (Details) (Not designated as hedging instrument, Currency swap)	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011
	USD ($)	CAD
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Notional amount of derivative	'	34,749,000
Periodic payment on derivative instrument	'	589,000
Periodic receivable on derivative instrument	$593,000	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Effective annual income tax rate (percent)	41.00%

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_1

Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$694	$703	$2,098	$2,073
Interest cost	8,937	8,237	26,851	24,555
Expected return on assets	-11,498	-10,659	-34,560	-31,685
Amortization of actuarial loss	3,123	3,210	8,967	9,760
Net periodic benefit cost	$1,256	$1,491	$3,356	$4,703

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_2

Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
U.S. pension plans	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'
Contributions by employer	$14,850	$15,350
U.K. pension plans	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'
Contributions by employer	5,204	4,759
Defined benefit plan, estimated future employer contributions	$1,700	'

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha2

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Common Class A	'	'	'	'
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Allocation of undistributed earnings	$3,766	$5,990	$10,425	$18,492
Dividends paid	2,128	1,502	5,144	3,889
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	5,894	7,492	15,569	22,381
Denominator	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (shares)	30,355	30,033	30,178	29,838
Earnings per share - basic (usd per share)	$0.19	$0.25	$0.52	$0.75
Common Class B	'	'	'	'
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Allocation of undistributed earnings	3,064	4,925	8,530	15,302
Dividends paid	1,234	988	3,209	2,469
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	$4,298	$5,913	$11,739	$17,771
Denominator	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (shares)	24,690	24,690	24,690	24,690
Earnings per share - basic (usd per share)	$0.17	$0.24	$0.48	$0.72

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha3

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Diluted) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Common Class A	'	'	'	'
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Allocation of undistributed earnings	$3,801	$6,065	$10,545	$18,728
Dividends paid	2,128	1,502	5,144	3,889
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	5,929	7,567	15,689	22,617
Denominator	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (shares)	30,355	30,033	30,178	29,838
Weighted-average number of dilutive securities (shares)	633	839	779	852
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	30,988	30,872	30,957	30,690
Earnings per share - diluted (usd per share)	$0.19	$0.25	$0.51	$0.74
Common Class B	'	'	'	'
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Allocation of undistributed earnings	3,029	4,850	8,410	15,066
Dividends paid	1,234	988	3,209	2,469
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$4,263	$5,838	$11,619	$17,535
Denominator	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (shares)	24,690	24,690	24,690	24,690
Weighted-average number of dilutive securities (shares)	0	0	0	0
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	24,690	24,690	24,690	24,690
Earnings per share - diluted (usd per share)	$0.17	$0.24	$0.47	$0.71

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha4

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Antidilutive Securities) (Details)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Shares underlying stock options excluded due to the options' respective exercise prices being greater than the average stock price during the period	'		'		'		'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'		'		'		'
Shares excluded from diluted earnings per share (shares)	0		1,244		0		1,175
Performance stock grants excluded because performance conditions had not been met	'		'		'		'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'		'		'		'
Shares excluded from diluted earnings per share (shares)	2,267	[1]	2,084	[1]	2,267	[1]	2,084	[1]

[1]	Compensation cost is recognized for these performance stock grants based on expected achievement rates; however, no consideration is given to these performance stock grants when calculating earnings per share until the performance measurements have actually been achieved. As of September 30, 2014, the Company does not expect these performance measurements to be achieved by DecemberB 31, 2014.

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha5

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Weighted Average Shares Issued) (Details) (Common Class A)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CRDA issued under non-employee director stock plan	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock issued during period (shares)	2	6	62	64
CRDA issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock issued during period (shares)	155	147	155	147
CRDA issued under the U.K. ShareSave Scheme	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock issued during period (shares)	3	5	264	490
CRDA issued under the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock issued during period (shares)	12	11	12	11
CRDA issued under Executive Stock Bonus Plan	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock issued during period (shares)	66	20	317	265
CRDA issued upon stock option plan exercises	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock issued during period (shares)	0	0	106	12

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha6

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	31-May-12	Aug. 16, 2014
	Common Class A	Common Class A	Common Class A	Common Class A	Repurchase Authorization 2012	Repurchase Authorization 2014
					Common Stock	Common Stock
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased (shares)	'	'	'	'	2,000,000	2,000,000
Shares repurchased (shares)	44,254	172,752	382,192	325,372	'	'
Average cost (usd per share)	$8.27	$6.53	$8.26	$5.88	'	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Rollforward of Accumulated Other comprehensive Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning balance	($175,439)		($197,600)		($179,210)	[1]	($199,481)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-1,343		-8,049		-1,072		-10,510
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,952		2,249		5,452		6,591
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	609		-5,800		4,380		-3,919
Ending balance	-174,830		-203,400		-174,830		-203,400
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'		'		'		'
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning balance	3,815		5,317		3,544		7,778
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-1,343		-8,049		-1,072		-10,510
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0		0		0		0
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	-1,343		-8,049		-1,072		-10,510
Ending balance	2,472		-2,732		2,472		-2,732
Retirement liabilities	'		'		'		'
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning balance	-179,254	[2]	-202,917	[2]	-182,754	[2]	-207,259	[2]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,952	[2]	2,249	[2]	5,452	[2]	6,591	[2]
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	1,952	[2]	2,249	[2]	5,452	[2]	6,591	[2]
Ending balance	($177,302)	[2]	($200,668)	[2]	($177,302)	[2]	($200,668)	[2]

[1]	Derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet
[2]	Retirement liabilities reclassified to net income are related to the amortization of actuarial losses and are included in "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" in the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 6, "Defined Benefit Pension Plans" for additional details.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Jul. 15, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Legal Settlement Administration

Buckley Scott

Cash and cash equivalents

Other noncurrent assets

Other noncurrent liabilities

Measured on a recurring basis

Level 1

Measured on a recurring basis

Level 2

Measured on a recurring basis

Level 3

Measured on a recurring basis

Currency swap

Measured on a recurring basis

Currency swap

Assets [Abstract]

Money market funds

$30

[1]

$30

[1]

Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, cross currency basis swap

2,375

[2]

2,375

[2]

Liabilities [Abstract]

Contingent earnout liability

1,131

[3]

1,131

[3]

Maximum contingent consideration liability

2,216

Debt instrument, variable interest rate duration between resets

'90 days

Fair value of earnout liability

2,000

1,131

Intangible asset impairment

$1,271

[1]

The fair values of the money market funds were based on recently quoted market prices and reported transactions in an active marketplace. Money market funds are included in the Companybs unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Cash and cash equivalents."

[2]

The fair value of the cross currency basis swap was derived from a discounted cash flow analysis based on the terms of the swap and the forward curves for foreign currency rates and interest rates adjusted for the counterpartybs credit risk. The fair value of the cross currency basis swap is included in "Other noncurrent assets" on the Companybs unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon the term of the cross currency basis swap.

[3]

The fair value of the contingent earnout liability for the Buckley Scott acquisition was estimated using an internally-prepared probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis. The fair value analysis relied upon both Level 2 data (publicly observable data such as market interest rates and capital structures of peer companies) and Level 3 data (internal data such as the Company's operating projections). As such, these are Level 3 fair value measurements. The valuation is sensitive to Level 3 data, with the maximum possible earnout of $2,216,000. As such, the fair value is not expected to vary materially from the balance recorded. The fair value of the contingent earnout liability is included in "Other noncurrent liabilities" on the Companybs unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon the term of the contingent earnout agreement.

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	segments	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	$293,831	$293,338	$857,396	$878,566
Reimbursements	21,079	20,118	53,925	68,144
Total Revenues	314,910	313,456	911,321	946,710
Segment operating earnings	23,351	26,045	60,022	80,030
Unallocated corporate and shared costs and credits, net	-500	275	-2,190	-5,355
Net corporate interest expense	-1,680	-1,519	-4,532	-4,762
Stock option expense	-184	-279	-680	-652
Income before income taxes	19,444	22,929	47,874	64,478
Number of operating segments (segments)	'	'	4	'
Americas	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	92,181	95,879	273,673	262,757
Segment operating earnings	7,036	9,718	22,112	17,355
Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific (EMEA/AP)	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	86,173	84,007	253,755	259,189
Segment operating earnings	4,225	4,272	10,435	19,486
Broadspire	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	68,242	63,323	199,706	186,888
Segment operating earnings	4,422	1,884	9,140	4,475
Legal Settlement Administration	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	47,235	50,129	130,262	169,732
Segment operating earnings	7,668	10,171	18,335	38,714
Customer relationships and trade names	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated	'	'	'	'
Amortization of customer-relationship intangible assets	($1,543)	($1,593)	($4,746)	($4,783)

Segment_Information_Revenues_B

Segment Information (Revenues By Major Service Line) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	$293,831	$293,338	$857,396	$878,566
Americas	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	92,181	95,879	273,673	262,757
Broadspire	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	68,242	63,323	199,706	186,888
Canada--all service lines \| Americas	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	33,575	34,480	98,083	92,815
Latin America/Caribbean--all service lines \| Americas	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	3,781	4,250	10,858	11,795
Subtotal U.S. Property & Casualty \| U.S. Property and Casualty \| Americas	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	54,825	57,149	164,732	158,147
U.S. Contractor Connection \| U.S. Property and Casualty \| Americas	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	12,637	9,137	39,767	26,696
Subtotal U.S. Claims Services \| U.S. Property and Casualty \| Americas	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	42,188	48,012	124,965	131,451
U.S. Claims Field Operations \| U.S. Property and Casualty \| Americas	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	23,843	27,253	75,798	79,055
U.S. Technical Services \| U.S. Property and Casualty \| Americas	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	6,044	6,827	19,069	21,365
U.S. Catastrophe Services \| U.S. Property and Casualty \| Americas	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	12,301	13,932	30,098	31,031
Workers' Compensation and Liability Claims Management \| Broadspire	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	28,109	26,922	84,113	79,595
Medical Management \| Broadspire	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	36,257	32,588	104,103	95,581
Risk Management Information Services \| Broadspire	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues before reimbursements	$3,876	$3,813	$11,490	$11,712

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Letters of credit outstanding amount	$17,511

Special_Charges_and_Other_Inco2

Special Charges and Other Income (Rollforward of accrued liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	$2,749	$4,049
Adjustments to accruals	-283	-1,005
Cash payments	-237	-815
Ending balance	2,229	2,229
Deferred rent	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	1,942	2,664
Adjustments to accruals	-253	-975
Cash payments	0	0
Ending balance	1,689	1,689
Accrued compensation and related costs	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	255	498
Adjustments to accruals	0	0
Cash payments	-79	-322
Ending balance	176	176
Other accrued liabilities	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	120	303
Adjustments to accruals	-30	-30
Cash payments	-90	-273
Ending balance	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	432	584
Adjustments to accruals	0	0
Cash payments	-68	-220
Ending balance	$364	$364

Special_Charges_and_Other_Inco3

Special Charges and Other Income (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'
Gain from the sale of a customer contract in Latin America	'	$2,286
Gain from the earnout provision	$418	'