1 ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS To Crawford & Company: As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our reports included or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K into Crawford & Company's previously filed Registration Statement File Nos. 33-47536, 33-36116, 333-02051, 333-24425, 333-24427, 333-87465, 333-87467, and 333-43740. /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Atlanta, Georgia March 21, 2001