SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT - Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014
Successor
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income		$ 62,861	$ 72,267	$ 93,294	$ 112,120	$ 115,348	$ 81,191	$ 60,407	$ 63,840	$ 268,299	$ 393,029
Total other comprehensive income (loss)										(1,241,134)	586,611
Total comprehensive income (loss)										(972,835)	979,640
Successor | PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income										268,299	393,029
Total other comprehensive income (loss)										(1,241,134)	586,611
Total comprehensive income (loss)										$ (972,835)	$ 979,640
Predecessor
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 1,509											$ 384,875
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	465,968											924,010
Total comprehensive income (loss)	467,477											1,308,885
Predecessor | PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	1,509											384,875
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	465,968											924,010
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 467,477											$ 1,308,885