Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
Dec. 31, 2013 |
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |
|
|
|
|
| Balance at December 31, |
|
$ (221,958)
|
|
|
| Unrealized net (losses) gains arising during the year |
|
8,209
|
$ (43,181)
|
$ 15,671
|
| Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income |
|
(1,411)
|
(43,145)
|
20,222
|
| Balance at December 31, |
|
(222,631)
|
(221,958)
|
|
| Defined benefit plan, actuarial gain (loss) |
|
31,078
|
(103,497)
|
|
| AOCL attributable to shareholders of Crawford & Company |
|
|
|
|
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |
|
|
|
|
| Balance at December 31, |
|
(221,958)
|
(179,210)
|
|
| Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications |
|
(19,688)
|
(8,203)
|
|
| Unrealized net (losses) gains arising during the year |
|
8,209
|
(43,181)
|
|
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, total |
[1] |
10,806
|
8,636
|
|
| Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income |
|
(673)
|
(42,748)
|
20,271
|
| Balance at December 31, |
|
(222,631)
|
(221,958)
|
(179,210)
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |
|
|
|
|
| Balance at December 31, |
|
(4,659)
|
3,544
|
|
| Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications |
|
(19,688)
|
(8,203)
|
|
| Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income |
|
(19,688)
|
(8,203)
|
|
| Balance at December 31, |
|
(24,347)
|
(4,659)
|
3,544
|
| Retirement liabilities |
|
|
|
|
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |
|
|
|
|
| Balance at December 31, |
|
(217,299)
|
(182,754)
|
|
| Unrealized net (losses) gains arising during the year |
|
8,209
|
(43,181)
|
|
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, total |
[1] |
10,806
|
8,636
|
|
| Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income |
|
19,015
|
(34,545)
|
|
| Balance at December 31, |
|
(198,284)
|
$ (217,299)
|
$ (182,754)
|
| Foreign pension plans | Netherlands |
|
|
|
|
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |
|
|
|
|
| Defined benefit plan, actuarial gain (loss) |
|
5,500
|
|
|
| Deferred tax assets, effect of defined benefit plan curtailments |
|
1,400
|
|
|
| Other comprehensive income (loss), finalization of pension and other postretirement benefit plan valuation, before tax |
|
$ 4,100
|
|
|
|
|