Crawford & Company (CRD-A) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document Information
Entity Registrant Name	CRAWFORD & CO
Entity Central Index Key	25475
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Common Class A
Document Information
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,653,011
Common Class B
Document Information
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,690,172

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Revenues before reimbursements	$287,777	$275,349
Reimbursements	18,839	14,009
Total revenues	306,616	289,358
Costs and Expenses:
Costs of services provided, before reimbursements	219,323	203,893
Reimbursements	18,839	14,009
Total costs of services	238,162	217,902
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	60,387	59,730
Corporate interest expense, net of interest income of $165 and $197, respectively	1,864	1,301
Special charges	1,063	0
Total Costs and Expenses	301,476	278,933
Other Income	382	449
Income Before Income Taxes	5,522	10,874
Provision for Income Taxes	2,241	4,288
Net Income	3,281	6,586
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	-295	66
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	$2,986	$6,652
Common Class A
Earnings Per Share - Basic:
Earnings Per Share - Basic (usd per share)	$0.06	$0.13
Earnings Per Share - Diluted:
Earnings Per Share - Diluted (usd per share)	$0.06	$0.12
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share (shares)	30,521	29,918
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share (shares)	31,012	30,978
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Cash Dividends Per Share (usd per share)	$0.07	$0.05
Common Class B
Earnings Per Share - Basic:
Earnings Per Share - Basic (usd per share)	$0.04	$0.12
Earnings Per Share - Diluted:
Earnings Per Share - Diluted (usd per share)	$0.04	$0.11
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
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
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Cash Dividends Per Share (usd per share)	$0.05	$0.04

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Interest income	$165	$197

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net Income	$3,281	$6,586
Other Comprehensive Loss:
Net foreign currency translation loss net of tax of $0 and $0, respectively	-10,633	-4,405
Amortization of actuarial losses for retirement plans included in net periodic pension cost, net of tax of $1,076 and $914 respectively	2,765	1,533
Other Comprehensive Loss	-7,868	-2,872
Comprehensive (Loss) Income	-4,587	3,714
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	128	425
Comprehensive (Loss) Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	($4,459)	$4,139

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
OCI, Tax on foreign currency translation losses	$0	$0
OCI, Tax on amortization of actuarial losses on retirement plans included in net periodic pension cost	$1,076	$914

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$40,842	$52,456	[1]
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,197 and $10,960, respectively	176,405	180,096	[1]
Unbilled revenues, at estimated billable amounts	121,800	103,163	[1]
Income taxes receivable	2,779	2,779	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	32,676	29,089	[1]
Total Current Assets	374,502	367,583	[1]
Property and Equipment:
Property and equipment	145,069	143,273	[1]
Less accumulated depreciation	-103,227	-102,414	[1]
Net Property and Equipment	41,842	40,859	[1]
Other Assets:
Goodwill	148,572	131,885	[1]
Intangible assets arising from business acquisitions, net	112,093	75,895	[1]
Capitalized software costs, net	77,250	75,536	[1]
Deferred income tax assets	71,056	66,927	[1]
Other noncurrent assets	34,319	30,634	[1]
Total Other Assets	443,290	380,877	[1]
TOTAL ASSETS	859,634	789,319	[1]
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	11,989	2,002	[1]
Accounts payable	48,598	48,597	[1]
Accrued compensation and related costs	63,896	82,151	[1]
Self-insured risks	13,645	14,491	[1]
Income taxes payable	3,756	2,618	[1]
Deferred income taxes	14,117	14,523	[1]
Deferred rent	12,737	13,576	[1]
Other accrued liabilities	40,189	35,784	[1]
Deferred revenues	49,661	45,054	[1]
Current installments of long-term debt and capital leases	1,869	763	[1]
Total Current Liabilities	260,457	259,559	[1]
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current installments	231,771	154,046	[1]
Deferred revenues	27,190	26,706	[1]
Self-insured risks	9,839	10,041	[1]
Accrued pension liabilities	133,282	142,343	[1]
Other noncurrent liabilities	19,500	17,271	[1]
Total Noncurrent Liabilities	421,582	350,407	[1]
Shareholders' Investment:
Additional paid-in capital	38,977	38,617	[1]
Retained earnings	300,584	301,091	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-229,403	-221,958	[1]
Shareholders' Investment Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	165,381	172,937	[1]
Noncontrolling interests	12,214	6,416	[1]
Total Shareholders' Investment	177,595	179,353	[1]
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	859,634	789,319	[1]
Common Class A
Shareholders' Investment:
Class A common stock, $1.00 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 30,533 and 30,497 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Class B common stock, $1.00 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 24,690 shares issued and outstanding	30,533	30,497	[1]
Common Class B
Shareholders' Investment:
Class A common stock, $1.00 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 30,533 and 30,497 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$11,197	$10,960	[1]
Common Class A
Shareholders' 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)	30,533,000	30,497,000	[1]
Shares outstanding (shares)	30,533,000	30,497,000	[1]
Common Class B
Shareholders' 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 $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net Income	$3,281		$6,586
Reconciliation of net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	10,815		9,103
Stock-based compensation	404		-449
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net	31		-389
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable, net	15,507		-9,131
Unbilled revenues, net	-16,612		-17,209
Accrued or prepaid income taxes	-6		2,272
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-22,719		-44,780
Deferred revenues	4,155		-2,123
Accrued retirement costs	-8,781		-11,389
Prepaid expenses and other operating activities	-1,716		2,246
Net cash used in operating activities	-15,641		-65,263
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Acquisitions of property and equipment	-2,032		-2,571
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment	0		1,289
Capitalization of computer software costs	-5,643		-3,372
Cash surrendered in sale of business	0		-1,554
Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-66,077		0
Net cash used in investing activities	-73,752		-6,208
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Cash dividends paid	-3,373		-2,489
Payments related to shares received for withholding taxes under stock-based compensation plans	0		-1,327
Proceeds from shares purchased under employee stock-based compensation plans	9		25
Repurchases of common stock	-137		-1,391
Increases in short-term and revolving credit facility borrowings	110,273		55,238
Payments on short-term and revolving credit facility borrowings	-25,002		-4,125
Payments on capital lease obligations	-552		-220
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	0		-142
Other financing activities	0		-26
Net cash provided by financing activities	81,218		45,543
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-3,439		-1,514
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-11,614		-27,442
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	52,456	[1]	75,953
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$40,842		$48,511
[1]	Derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Investment (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$179,353	[1]	$207,533
Net income (loss)	3,281		6,586
Other comprehensive loss	-7,868		-2,872
Cash dividends paid	-3,373		-2,489
Stock-based compensation	404		-449
Common stock activity, net	-128		-2,502
Increase in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition	5,926
Decrease in value of noncontrolling interest due to sale of controlling interest			-638
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			-142
Ending Balance	177,595		205,027
Shareholders' Investment Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	172,937		199,805
Net income (loss)	2,986		6,652
Other comprehensive loss	-7,445		-2,513
Cash dividends paid	-3,373		-2,489
Stock-based compensation	404		-449
Common stock activity, net	-128		-2,502
Ending Balance	165,381		198,504
Additional Paid-In Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	38,617		39,285
Stock-based compensation	404		-449
Common stock activity, net	-44		-1,471
Ending Balance	38,977		37,365
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	301,091		285,165
Net income (loss)	2,986		6,652
Cash dividends paid	-3,373		-2,489
Common stock activity, net	-120		-1,218
Ending Balance	300,584		288,110
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	-221,958		-179,210
Other comprehensive loss	-7,445		-2,513
Ending Balance	-229,403		-181,723
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,416		7,728
Net income (loss)	295		-66
Other comprehensive loss	-423		-359
Increase in value of noncontrolling interest due to acquisition	5,926
Decrease in value of noncontrolling interest due to sale of controlling interest			-638
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			-142
Ending Balance	12,214		6,523
Common Class A | Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	30,497		29,875
Common stock activity, net	36		187
Ending Balance	30,533		30,062
Common Class B | Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	24,690		24,690
Common stock activity, net	0		0
Ending Balance	$24,690		$24,690
[1]	Derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 ended, and the Company's financial position as of, March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results or financial position that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015 or for other future periods. The financial results from the Company's operations outside of the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and certain subsidiaries in the Philippines, are reported and consolidated 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 the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Certain prior period amounts within the EMEA/AP segment have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the Company's reported segment or consolidated results. Significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet information presented herein as of December 31, 2014 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, 2014.
	The Company consolidates the liabilities of its deferred compensation plan and the related assets, which are held in a rabbi trust and considered a 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the liabilities of the deferred compensation plan were $11,186,000 and $11,051,000, 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 $15,613,000 and $15,519,000, 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 also agreed to provide financial support to LWI of up to approximately $10,000,000. Because of this controlling financial interest, and because Crawford has the obligation to absorb LWI's losses through the additional financial support that LWI may require, LWI is considered a VIE of the Company. LWI also does not meet the business scope exception, as Crawford provides more than half of its financial support, and because LWI lacks sufficient equity at risk to permit it to carry on its activities without this additional financial support. Creditors of LWI have no recourse to Crawford's general credit. Total assets and liabilities of LWI as of March 31, 2015 were $6,198,000 and $8,565,000, respectively. Included in LWI's total liabilities is a loan from Crawford of $7,702,000.

Business_Acquisition_Notes

Business Acquisition (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Acquisition	Business Acquisition
	On December 1, 2014, the Company acquired 100% of the capital stock of GAB Robins Holdings UK Limited ("GAB Robins"), a U.K. based international loss adjusting and claims management provider, for cash consideration of $71,812,000. Because the financial results of certain of the Company's international subsidiaries, including those in the U.K. through which GAB Robins reports, are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements on a two-month delayed basis, the results of operations of GAB Robins, and the preliminary application of purchase accounting to the assets acquired, and liabilities and minority interest assumed, in that acquisition are reflected in the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated results for the three months ended March 31, 2015. As a result, comparability to prior periods' results and financial condition may be limited. The purchase was accounted for under the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805-10 as a business combination under the acquisition method. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, GAB Robins contribution to the Company's earnings and earnings per share were not material to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and as such, no pro forma information has been presented.
	On March 17, 2015, the Company received unconditional clearance from the United Kingdom Competition & Markets Authority to begin integration of GAB Robins with the Company's business operations. The success of the GAB Robins acquisition will depend, in part, on the Company's ability to realize the anticipated synergies and cost savings from integrating the GAB Robins business with its existing business on a timely basis.
	As a requirement of accounting under the acquisition method, all identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recognized using fair value measurement. Based upon the timing of the acquisition, the allocation of the purchase price is preliminary and subject to change, as the Company gathers additional information related to, among other things, unbilled accounts receivable, intangible assets, deferred taxes, other assets, accrued liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and uncertain tax positions. The purchase price allocation may also be impacted by net debt and net working capital adjustments under the terms of the acquisition agreement. The purchase price included $6,329,000 placed in escrow for up to two years related to certain acquired contingencies and working capital adjustments per the terms of the acquisition agreement. As of March 31, 2015, $1,600,000 of the previously escrowed amount has been released. The acquisition was funded primarily through borrowings in the U.K. under the Company's Credit Facility.
	The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the GAB Robins acquisition included in the Company's consolidated financial statements on the two-month delayed basis discussed above:
	(in thousands)	Opening Balance Sheet
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,735
	Accounts receivable	17,049
	Unbilled revenues, at estimated billable amounts	7,169
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,136
	Property and equipment	4,083
	Goodwill	21,410
	Intangible assets	40,535
	Other noncurrent assets	1,933
	Deferred income tax assets	4,833
	Total Assets	$	105,883
	Liabilities
	Other current liabilities	$	23,565
	Noncurrent liabilities	4,580
	Total Liabilities	28,145
	Net Assets Acquired, Before Noncontrolling Interests	77,738
	Noncontrolling interests	5,926
	Net Assets Acquired, Net of Noncontrolling Interests	$	71,812
	Intangible assets acquired include customer relationships, trademarks, internally developed software and non-compete agreements. The intangibles acquired are made up largely of customer relationships of $38,043,000 being amortized over a preliminary estimated life of 18 years, and the remaining assets listed above are amortized over periods ranging from two to five years. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized amortization expense of $510,000 in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements related to these intangibles. Goodwill is attributable to the synergies of the work force in place and business resources as a result of the combination of the companies. We do not expect that goodwill attributable to the acquisition will be deductible for tax purposes. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 GAB Robins contributed $16,275,000 in revenues. For the period ended March 31, 2015, GAB Robins' contribution to the Company's earnings and earnings per share were not material to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and as such, no pro forma information has been presented.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-3, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." The new standard focuses on simplification of the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the standard.
	Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
	In February 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-2, "Consolidation (topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." ASU 2015-02 focuses on the consolidation evaluation for reporting organizations (public and private companies) that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this standard may have on its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
	Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity
	In April 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-8, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." Under ASU 2014-8, only disposals that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity's results and operations would qualify as discontinued operations. In addition, the ASU (1) expands the disclosure requirements for disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operation, (2) requires entities to disclose information about disposals of individually significant components, and (3) defines "discontinued operations" similarly to how it is defined under International Financial Reporting Standards 2, "Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations." The standard became effective in the first quarter of 2015 for public organizations with calendar year-ends. The Company has adopted the standard effective for the first quarter 2015, although it had no impact on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 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.
	This 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 the 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 March 31, 2015, no such default existed, and the Company had no assets posted as collateral under its swap agreement.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015, the Company estimates that its effective income tax rate for 2015 will be approximately 39% after considering known discrete items.

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 included the following components:
		Three months ended
	(in thousands)	March 31,			March 31,
		2015			2014
	Service cost	$	761		$	698
	Interest cost	8,227			8,918
	Expected return on assets	(10,501		)	(11,462		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	3,312			3,004
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,799		$	1,158
	For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, the Company made contributions of $3,000,000 and $1,678,000, to its underfunded U.S. and U.K. defined benefit pension plans, respectively, compared with contributions of $2,600,000 and $1,730,000, respectively, in the comparable period in 2014. 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 2015; however, the Company expects to make additional contributions of approximately $6,000,000 and $5,100,000 to its U.S. and U.K. plans, respectively, during the remainder of 2015.

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 quarter of 2015 and 2014 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
			March 31,						March 31,
			2015						2014
	(in thousands, except earnings per share amounts)		CRDA			CRDB			CRDA		CRDB
	Earnings per share - basic:
	Numerator:
	Allocation of undistributed earnings		$	(214	)	$	(173	)	$	2,281	$	1,882
	Dividends paid		2,138			1,235			1,502		987
	Net income available to common shareholders, basic		$	1,924		$	1,062		$	3,783	$	2,869
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic		30,521			24,690			29,918		24,690
	Earnings per share - basic		$	0.06		$	0.04		$	0.13	$	0.12
	The computations of diluted net income attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company per common share were as follows:
			Three months ended
			March 31,						March 31,
			2015						2014
	(in thousands, except earnings per share amounts)		CRDA			CRDB			CRDA		CRDB
	Earnings per share - diluted:
	Numerator:
	Allocation of undistributed earnings		$	(215	)	$	(172	)	$	2,317	$	1,846
	Dividends paid		2,138			1,235			1,502		987
	Net income available to common shareholders, diluted		$	1,923		$	1,063		$	3,819	$	2,833
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic		30,521			24,690			29,918		24,690
	Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities		491			—			1,060		—
			31,012			24,690			30,978		24,690
	Earnings per share - diluted		$	0.06		$	0.04		$	0.12	$	0.11
	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
	(in thousands)		March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Shares underlying stock options excluded due to the options' respective exercise prices being greater than the average stock price during the period		15			—
	Performance stock grants excluded because performance conditions had not been met (1)		1,488			2,267
	________________________________________________
	(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 March 31, 2015, the Company does not expect these performance measurements to be achieved by December 31, 2015.
	The following table details shares issued during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014. 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
	(in thousands)		March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	CRDA issued under non-employee director stock plan		48			54
	CRDA issued under the U.K. ShareSave Scheme		—			6
	CRDA issued under Executive Stock Bonus Plan		4			195
	CRDA issued upon stock option plan exercises		—			106
	Effective August 16, 2014, the Company's then existing stock 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 ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 17,700 shares of CRDA at an average cost of $7.79 per share. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company repurchased 174,108 shares of CRDA at an average cost of $7.99 per share. The Company did not repurchase any shares of CRDB during either of these periods.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company
	Beginning balance	$	(4,659	)	$	(217,299	)	$	(221,958	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(10,210		)	—			(10,210		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			2,765			2,765
	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(10,210		)	2,765			(7,445		)
	Ending balance	$	(14,869	)	$	(214,534	)	$	(229,403	)
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company
	Beginning balance	$	3,544		$	(182,754	)	$	(179,210	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(4,046		)	—			(4,046		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			1,533			1,533
	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(4,046		)	1,533			(2,513		)
	Ending balance	$	(502	)	$	(181,221	)	$	(181,723	)
	________________________________________________
	(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 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	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 March 31, 2015
						Significant Other		Significant
				Quoted Prices in		Observable		Unobservable
				Active Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	(in thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Money market funds (1)	$	11	$	11	$	—	$	—
	Derivative not designated as hedging instrument:
	Cross currency basis swap (2)	4,903		—		4,903		—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent earnout liability (3)	1,118						1,118
	________________________________________________
	(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 2014 acquisition of Buckley Scott Holdings Limited ("Buckley Scott") 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, the liability is a Level 3 fair value measurement. The valuation is sensitive to Level 3 data, with a maximum possible earnout of $1,984,000. 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. The fair value of the earnout was $1,153,000 at December 31, 2014. The decrease in the Level 3 fair value at March 31, 2015 was due only to foreign currency translation adjustments.
	Fair Value Disclosures
	There were no transfers of assets between fair value levels during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. 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.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	Financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 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
	(in thousands)	March 31,			March 31,
		2015			2014
	Revenues:
	Americas	$	89,467		$	87,891
	Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific ("EMEA/AP")	91,263			80,336
	Broadspire	69,672			64,758
	Legal Settlement Administration	37,375			42,364
	Total segment revenues before reimbursements	287,777			275,349
	Reimbursements	18,839			14,009
	Total revenues	$	306,616		$	289,358
	Segment Operating Earnings:
	Americas	$	4,976		$	6,934
	EMEA/AP	1,528			1,900
	Broadspire	3,537			2,003
	Legal Settlement Administration	4,951			4,967
	Total segment operating earnings	14,992			15,804
	Deduct:
	Unallocated corporate and shared costs and credits, net	(4,296		)	(1,743		)
	Net corporate interest expense	(1,864		)	(1,301		)
	Stock option expense	(149		)	(294		)
	Amortization of customer-relationship intangible assets	(2,098		)	(1,592		)
	Special charges	(1,063		)	—
	Income before income taxes	$	5,522		$	10,874
	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, special charges, 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
	(in thousands)	March 31,			March 31,
		2015			2014
	Americas
	U.S. Claims Field Operations	$	20,052		$	26,712
	U.S. Technical Services	6,563			6,711
	U.S. Catastrophe Services	17,368			6,316
	Subtotal U.S. Claims Services	43,983			39,739
	U.S. Contractor Connection	12,721			12,909
	Subtotal U.S. Property & Casualty	56,704			52,648
	Canada--all service lines	29,036			31,693
	Latin America/Caribbean--all service lines	3,727			3,550
	Total Revenues before Reimbursements--Americas	$	89,467		$	87,891
	Broadspire
	Workers' Compensation and Liability Claims Management	$	29,185		$	28,284
	Medical Management	36,640			32,792
	Risk Management Information Services	3,847			3,682
	Total Revenues before Reimbursements--Broadspire	$	69,672		$	64,758

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015, the aggregate committed amount of letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility was $17,212,000.
	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, claims for indemnification on the basis of alleged actions 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.
	The 2014 acquisition of Buckley Scott contains an earnout provision based on Buckley Scott achieving certain financial results during the two-year period following the completion of the acquisition, with a current estimated fair value of $1,118,000. The maximum potential earnout is $1,984,000.

Special_Charges_and_Other_Inco

Special Charges and Other Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Special Charges and Other Income	Special Charges and Other Income
	Special Charges
	Special charges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 of $1,063,000 were incurred related to the establishment of the Company's Global Business Services Center ("the Center") in Manila, Philippines. These costs were primarily for professional fees. There were no special charges during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	As of March 31, 2015, the following liabilities remained on the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related to special charges recorded in 2012, and related to the 2015 special charges. The rollforwards of these costs to March 31, 2015 are as follows:
		Three months ended March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)	Deferred rent			Accrued compensation and related costs			Accounts payable			Other accrued liabilities		Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2015	$	1,431		$	131		$	—		$	308	$	1,870
	Additions	—			—			1,063			—		1,063
	Adjustments to accruals	(260		)	—			—			—		(260		)
	Cash payments	—			(42		)	(13		)	—		(55		)
	Ending balance, March 31, 2015	$	1,171		$	89		$	1,050		$	308	$	2,618
	Other Income
	Other income consists of dividend income from our unconsolidated subsidiaries and miscellaneous other income.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
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 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.
New accounting pronouncements, policy	Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-3, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." The new standard focuses on simplification of the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the standard.
	Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
	In February 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-2, "Consolidation (topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." ASU 2015-02 focuses on the consolidation evaluation for reporting organizations (public and private companies) that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this standard may have on its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
	Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity
	In April 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-8, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." Under ASU 2014-8, only disposals that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity's results and operations would qualify as discontinued operations. In addition, the ASU (1) expands the disclosure requirements for disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operation, (2) requires entities to disclose information about disposals of individually significant components, and (3) defines "discontinued operations" similarly to how it is defined under International Financial Reporting Standards 2, "Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations." The standard became effective in the first quarter of 2015 for public organizations with calendar year-ends. The Company has adopted the standard effective for the first quarter 2015, although it had no impact on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
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 quarter of 2015 and 2014 the Board of Directors declared a higher dividend on CRDA than on CRDB.

Business_Acquisition_Tables

Business Acquisition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the GAB Robins acquisition included in the Company's consolidated financial statements on the two-month delayed basis discussed above:
	(in thousands)	Opening Balance Sheet
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,735
	Accounts receivable	17,049
	Unbilled revenues, at estimated billable amounts	7,169
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,136
	Property and equipment	4,083
	Goodwill	21,410
	Intangible assets	40,535
	Other noncurrent assets	1,933
	Deferred income tax assets	4,833
	Total Assets	$	105,883
	Liabilities
	Other current liabilities	$	23,565
	Noncurrent liabilities	4,580
	Total Liabilities	28,145
	Net Assets Acquired, Before Noncontrolling Interests	77,738
	Noncontrolling interests	5,926
	Net Assets Acquired, Net of Noncontrolling Interests	$	71,812

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_

Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 included the following components:
		Three months ended
	(in thousands)	March 31,			March 31,
		2015			2014
	Service cost	$	761		$	698
	Interest cost	8,227			8,918
	Expected return on assets	(10,501		)	(11,462		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	3,312			3,004
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,799		$	1,158

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha1

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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
			March 31,						March 31,
			2015						2014
	(in thousands, except earnings per share amounts)		CRDA			CRDB			CRDA		CRDB
	Earnings per share - basic:
	Numerator:
	Allocation of undistributed earnings		$	(214	)	$	(173	)	$	2,281	$	1,882
	Dividends paid		2,138			1,235			1,502		987
	Net income available to common shareholders, basic		$	1,924		$	1,062		$	3,783	$	2,869
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic		30,521			24,690			29,918		24,690
	Earnings per share - basic		$	0.06		$	0.04		$	0.13	$	0.12
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
			March 31,						March 31,
			2015						2014
	(in thousands, except earnings per share amounts)		CRDA			CRDB			CRDA		CRDB
	Earnings per share - diluted:
	Numerator:
	Allocation of undistributed earnings		$	(215	)	$	(172	)	$	2,317	$	1,846
	Dividends paid		2,138			1,235			1,502		987
	Net income available to common shareholders, diluted		$	1,923		$	1,063		$	3,819	$	2,833
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic		30,521			24,690			29,918		24,690
	Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities		491			—			1,060		—
			31,012			24,690			30,978		24,690
	Earnings per share - diluted		$	0.06		$	0.04		$	0.12	$	0.11
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
	(in thousands)		March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Shares underlying stock options excluded due to the options' respective exercise prices being greater than the average stock price during the period		15			—
	Performance stock grants excluded because performance conditions had not been met (1)		1,488			2,267
	________________________________________________
	(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 March 31, 2015, the Company does not expect these performance measurements to be achieved by December 31, 2015.
Schedule of shares issued under stock plans used in weighted average calc	The following table details shares issued during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014. 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
	(in thousands)		March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	CRDA issued under non-employee director stock plan		48			54
	CRDA issued under the U.K. ShareSave Scheme		—			6
	CRDA issued under Executive Stock Bonus Plan		4			195
	CRDA issued upon stock option plan exercises		—			106

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company
	Beginning balance	$	(4,659	)	$	(217,299	)	$	(221,958	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(10,210		)	—			(10,210		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			2,765			2,765
	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(10,210		)	2,765			(7,445		)
	Ending balance	$	(14,869	)	$	(214,534	)	$	(229,403	)
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Retirement liabilities (1)			AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company
	Beginning balance	$	3,544		$	(182,754	)	$	(179,210	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(4,046		)	—			(4,046		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			1,533			1,533
	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(4,046		)	1,533			(2,513		)
	Ending balance	$	(502	)	$	(181,221	)	$	(181,723	)
	________________________________________________
	(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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015
						Significant Other		Significant
				Quoted Prices in		Observable		Unobservable
				Active Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	(in thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Money market funds (1)	$	11	$	11	$	—	$	—
	Derivative not designated as hedging instrument:
	Cross currency basis swap (2)	4,903		—		4,903		—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent earnout liability (3)	1,118						1,118
	________________________________________________
	(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 2014 acquisition of Buckley Scott Holdings Limited ("Buckley Scott") 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, the liability is a Level 3 fair value measurement. The valuation is sensitive to Level 3 data, with a maximum possible earnout of $1,984,000. 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. The fair value of the earnout was $1,153,000 at December 31, 2014. The decrease in the Level 3 fair value at March 31, 2015 was due only to foreign currency translation adjustments.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of operating profit from segments to consolidated	Financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 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
	(in thousands)	March 31,			March 31,
		2015			2014
	Revenues:
	Americas	$	89,467		$	87,891
	Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific ("EMEA/AP")	91,263			80,336
	Broadspire	69,672			64,758
	Legal Settlement Administration	37,375			42,364
	Total segment revenues before reimbursements	287,777			275,349
	Reimbursements	18,839			14,009
	Total revenues	$	306,616		$	289,358
	Segment Operating Earnings:
	Americas	$	4,976		$	6,934
	EMEA/AP	1,528			1,900
	Broadspire	3,537			2,003
	Legal Settlement Administration	4,951			4,967
	Total segment operating earnings	14,992			15,804
	Deduct:
	Unallocated corporate and shared costs and credits, net	(4,296		)	(1,743		)
	Net corporate interest expense	(1,864		)	(1,301		)
	Stock option expense	(149		)	(294		)
	Amortization of customer-relationship intangible assets	(2,098		)	(1,592		)
	Special charges	(1,063		)	—
	Income before income taxes	$	5,522		$	10,874
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
	(in thousands)	March 31,			March 31,
		2015			2014
	Americas
	U.S. Claims Field Operations	$	20,052		$	26,712
	U.S. Technical Services	6,563			6,711
	U.S. Catastrophe Services	17,368			6,316
	Subtotal U.S. Claims Services	43,983			39,739
	U.S. Contractor Connection	12,721			12,909
	Subtotal U.S. Property & Casualty	56,704			52,648
	Canada--all service lines	29,036			31,693
	Latin America/Caribbean--all service lines	3,727			3,550
	Total Revenues before Reimbursements--Americas	$	89,467		$	87,891
	Broadspire
	Workers' Compensation and Liability Claims Management	$	29,185		$	28,284
	Medical Management	36,640			32,792
	Risk Management Information Services	3,847			3,682
	Total Revenues before Reimbursements--Broadspire	$	69,672		$	64,758

Special_Charges_and_Other_Inco1

Special Charges and Other Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Rollforward of accrued liabilities	The rollforwards of these costs to March 31, 2015 are as follows:
		Three months ended March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)	Deferred rent			Accrued compensation and related costs			Accounts payable			Other accrued liabilities		Total
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2015	$	1,431		$	131		$	—		$	308	$	1,870
	Additions	—			—			1,063			—		1,063
	Adjustments to accruals	(260		)	—			—			—		(260		)
	Cash payments	—			(42		)	(13		)	—		(55		)
	Ending balance, March 31, 2015	$	1,171		$	89		$	1,050		$	308	$	2,618

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (Primary beneficiary, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Primary beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity
Liabilities of the deferred compensation plan	$11,186	$11,051
Assets held in the related rabbi trust	$15,613	$15,519

Basis_of_Presentation_Acquisit

Basis of Presentation (Acquisition) (Details) (Lloyd Warwick International, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Lloyd Warwick International
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (percent)	51.00%
Variable interest entity, reporting entity involvement, maximum loss exposure, amount	$10,000,000
Asset carrying amount	6,198,000
Liability carrying amount	8,565,000
Financial or other support	$7,702,000

Business_Acquisition_Details

Business Acquisition (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 01, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business combination, indemnification period	2 years
Business combination, preacquisition contingency, amounts released from escrow		$1,600
Assets
Goodwill		148,572	131,885	[1]
GAB Robins
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired	100.00%
Payments to acquire businesses, gross	71,812
Business combination, indemnification assets, amount as of acquisition date	6,329
Amortization of intangible assets		510
Revenue of acquiree since acquisition date		16,275
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	5,735
Accounts receivable	17,049
Unbilled revenues, at estimated billable amounts	7,169
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,136
Property and equipment	4,083
Goodwill	21,410
Intangible assets	40,535
Other noncurrent assets	1,933
Deferred income taxes	4,833
Total Assets	105,883
Liabilities
Other current liabilities	23,565
Noncurrent liabilities	4,580
Total Liabilities	28,145
Net Assets Acquired, Before Noncontrolling Interests	77,738
Noncontrolling interests	5,926
Net Assets Acquired, Net of Noncontrolling Interests	71,812
Customer relationships | GAB Robins
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life		18 years
Assets
Intangible assets		$38,043
Minimum | Intangible assets not including customer relationships | GAB Robins
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life		2 years
Maximum | Intangible assets not including customer relationships | GAB Robins
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life		5 years
[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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective annual income tax rate (percent)	39.00%

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_1

Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Service cost	$761	$698
Interest cost	8,227	8,918
Expected return on assets	-10,501	-11,462
Amortization of actuarial loss	3,312	3,004
Net periodic benefit cost	$1,799	$1,158

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_2

Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
U.S. pension plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Contributions by employer	$3,000	$2,600
Defined benefit plan, estimated future employer contributions	6,000
U.K. pension plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Contributions by employer	1,678	1,730
Defined benefit plan, estimated future employer contributions	$5,100

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
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Common Class A
Numerator:
Allocation of undistributed earnings	($214)	$2,281
Dividends paid	2,138	1,502
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	1,924	3,783
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (shares)	30,521	29,918
Earnings per share - basic (usd per share)	$0.06	$0.13
Common Class B
Numerator:
Allocation of undistributed earnings	-173	1,882
Dividends paid	1,235	987
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	$1,062	$2,869
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (shares)	24,690	24,690
Earnings per share - basic (usd per share)	$0.04	$0.12

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
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Common Class A
Numerator:
Allocation of undistributed earnings	($215)	$2,317
Dividends paid	2,138	1,502
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	1,923	3,819
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (shares)	30,521	29,918
Weighted-average number of dilutive securities (shares)	491	1,060
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	31,012	30,978
Earnings per share - diluted (usd per share)	$0.06	$0.12
Common Class B
Numerator:
Allocation of undistributed earnings	-172	1,846
Dividends paid	1,235	987
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$1,063	$2,833
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic (shares)	24,690	24,690
Weighted-average number of dilutive securities (shares)	0	0
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	24,690	24,690
Earnings per share - diluted (usd per share)	$0.04	$0.11

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha4

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Antidilutive Securities) (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
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)	15		0
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)	1,488	[1]	2,267	[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 March 31, 2015, the Company does not expect these performance measurements to be achieved by DecemberB 31, 2015.

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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CRDA issued under non-employee director stock plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]
Stock issued during period (shares)	48	54
CRDA issued under the U.K. ShareSave Scheme
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]
Stock issued during period (shares)	0	6
CRDA issued under Executive Stock Bonus Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]
Stock issued during period (shares)	4	195
CRDA issued upon stock option plan exercises
Share-based Compensation Arrangement [Line Items]
Stock issued during period (shares)	0	106

Net_Income_Attributable_to_Sha6

Net Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company per Common Share (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Aug. 16, 2014
Common Class A
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Shares repurchased (shares)	17,700	174,108
Average cost (usd per share)	$7.79	$7.99
Repurchase Authorization 2014 | Common Stock
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased (shares)			2,000,000

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Rollforward of Accumulated Other comprehensive Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	($221,958)	[1]	($179,210)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-10,210		-4,046
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	2,765		1,533
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	-7,445		-2,513
Ending balance	-229,403		-181,723
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	-4,659		3,544
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-10,210		-4,046
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0		0
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	-10,210		-4,046
Ending balance	-14,869		-502
Retirement liabilities
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	-217,299	[2]	-182,754	[2]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0	[2]	0	[2]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	2,765	[2]	1,533	[2]
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	2,765	[2]	1,533	[2]
Ending balance	($214,534)	[2]	($181,221)	[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 $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Liabilities [Abstract]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate duration between resets	90 days
Buckley Scott
Liabilities [Abstract]
Maximum contingent consideration liability	1,984
Cash and cash equivalents | Measured on a recurring basis
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	11	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents | Level 1 | Measured on a recurring basis
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	11	[1]
Other noncurrent assets | Measured on a recurring basis | Currency swap
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, cross currency basis swap	4,903	[2]
Other noncurrent assets | Level 2 | Measured on a recurring basis | Currency swap
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, cross currency basis swap	4,903	[2]
Other noncurrent liabilities | Measured on a recurring basis
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contingent earnout liability	1,118	[3]
Other noncurrent liabilities | Level 3 | Measured on a recurring basis
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contingent earnout liability	1,118	[3]	$1,153	[3]
[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 2014 acquisition of Buckley Scott Holdings Limited ("Buckley Scott") 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, the liability is a Level 3 fair value measurement. The valuation is sensitive to Level 3 data, with a maximum possible earnout of $1,984,000. 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. The fair value of the earnout was $1,153,000 at December 31, 2014. The decrease in the Level 3 fair value at March 31, 2015 was due only to foreign currency translation adjustments.

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Revenues	$287,777	$275,349
Reimbursements	18,839	14,009
Total revenues	306,616	289,358
Segment operating earnings	14,992	15,804
Net corporate interest expense	-1,864	-1,301
Special charges	-1,063	0
Income before income taxes	5,522	10,874
Number of operating segments (segments)	4
Americas
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Revenues	89,467	87,891
Segment operating earnings	4,976	6,934
Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific (EMEA/AP)
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Revenues	91,263	80,336
Segment operating earnings	1,528	1,900
Broadspire
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Revenues	69,672	64,758
Segment operating earnings	3,537	2,003
Legal Settlement Administration
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Revenues	37,375	42,364
Segment operating earnings	4,951	4,967
Corporate Segment
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Unallocated corporate and shared costs and credits, net	-4,296	-1,743
Net corporate interest expense	-1,864	-1,301
Stock option expense	-149	-294
Amortization of customer-relationship intangible assets	-2,098	-1,592
Special charges	($1,063)	$0

Segment_Information_Revenues_B

Segment Information (Revenues By Major Service Line) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	$287,777	$275,349
Americas
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	89,467	87,891
Broadspire
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	69,672	64,758
Canada--all service lines | Americas
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	29,036	31,693
Latin America/Caribbean--all service lines | Americas
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	3,727	3,550
Subtotal U.S. Property & Casualty | U.S. Property and Casualty | Americas
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	56,704	52,648
U.S. Contractor Connection | U.S. Property and Casualty | Americas
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	12,721	12,909
Subtotal U.S. Claims Services | U.S. Property and Casualty | Americas
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	43,983	39,739
U.S. Claims Field Operations | U.S. Property and Casualty | Americas
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	20,052	26,712
U.S. Technical Services | U.S. Property and Casualty | Americas
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	6,563	6,711
U.S. Catastrophe Services | U.S. Property and Casualty | Americas
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	17,368	6,316
Workers' Compensation and Liability Claims Management | Broadspire
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	29,185	28,284
Medical Management | Broadspire
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	36,640	32,792
Risk Management Information Services | Broadspire
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues before reimbursements	$3,847	$3,682

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015
Contingent Earnout Provision [Abstract]
Letters of credit outstanding amount			$17,212
Buckley Scott
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum contingent consideration liability			1,984
Contingent Earnout Provision [Abstract]
Period of contingent earnout provision	2 years
Other noncurrent liabilities | Measured on a recurring basis
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Contingent earnout liability			1,118	[1]
Level 3 | Other noncurrent liabilities | Measured on a recurring basis
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Contingent earnout liability	1,153	[1]	$1,118	[1]
[1]	The fair value of the contingent earnout liability for the 2014 acquisition of Buckley Scott Holdings Limited ("Buckley Scott") 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, the liability is a Level 3 fair value measurement. The valuation is sensitive to Level 3 data, with a maximum possible earnout of $1,984,000. 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. The fair value of the earnout was $1,153,000 at December 31, 2014. The decrease in the Level 3 fair value at March 31, 2015 was due only to foreign currency translation adjustments.

Special_Charges_and_Other_Inco2

Special Charges and Other Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Special charges	$1,063	$0

Special_Charges_and_Other_Inco3

Special Charges and Other Income (Rollforward of accrued liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$1,870
Additions	1,063
Adjustments to accruals	-260
Cash payments	-55
Ending balance	2,618
Deferred rent
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,431
Additions	0
Adjustments to accruals	-260
Cash payments	0
Ending balance	1,171
Accrued compensation and related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	131
Additions	0
Adjustments to accruals	0
Cash payments	-42
Ending balance	89
Accounts payable
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Additions	1,063
Adjustments to accruals	0
Cash payments	-13
Ending balance	1,050
Other accrued liabilities
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	308
Additions	0
Adjustments to accruals	0
Cash payments	0
Ending balance	$308