Exhibit 23.1 To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Crawford & Company: We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the previously filed Registration Statement File Nos. 33-47536, 33-36116, 333-02051, 333-24425, 333-24427, 333-43740, 333-87465, and 333-87467 of Crawford & Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, which includes our report dated November 8, 2004 related to the unaudited interim financial information contained therein. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Atlanta, Georgia November 8, 2004 39