SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT - Balance Sheets (Details) - Successor - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015
Assets
Fixed maturities	$ 38,183,337	$ 35,573,250
Equity securities	754,489	739,263
Other long-term investments	865,304	622,567
Total investments	50,696,163	45,170,550
Cash	348,182	396,072	$ 462,710
Property and equipment, net	106,111	102,865
Income tax receivable	116,823	0
Deferred income tax	1,317,107
Other assets	170,004	153,222
Total assets	75,003,379	68,488,697
Liabilities
Debt	1,163,285	1,588,806
Subordinated debt securities	441,202	448,763
Total liabilities	69,531,858	63,907,473
Commitments and contingencies—Note 3
Shareowners' equity
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in-capital	5,554,059	5,554,059
Treasury stock	0	0
Retained earnings, including undistributed income of subsidiaries: (Successor 2016 - $18,442; 2015 - $181,862)	571,985	268,299
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized gains on investments, all from subsidiaries, net of income tax: (Successor 2016 - $(349,541); 2015 - $(671,285))	(649,147)	(1,246,672)
Net unrealized gains (losses) relating to other-than-temporary impaired investments for which a portion has been recognized in earnings, net of income tax: (Successor 2016 - $(3,864); 2015 - $(212))	(7,175)	(393)
Accumulated gain (loss)—derivatives, net of income tax: (Successor 2016 - $391; 2015 - $0)	727	0
Postretirement benefits liability adjustment, net of income tax: (Successor 2016 - $578; 2015 - $3,194)	1,072	5,931
Total shareowner's equity	5,471,521	4,581,224	5,554,059
Total liabilities and shareowner's equity	75,003,379	68,488,697
PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Assets
Fixed maturities	112,498	54,637
Equity securities	38,472	39,338
Surplus notes from affiliate	0	1,148,237
Other long-term investments	10	0
Investments in subsidiaries (equity method)	7,019,618	5,403,025
Total investments	7,170,598	6,645,237
Cash	78,936	68,615	$ 20,776
Receivables from subsidiaries	9,600	24,781
Property and equipment, net	2,331	1,189
Income tax receivable	11,061	13,170
Deferred income tax	142,531	152,683
Other assets	29,851	21,395
Total assets	7,444,908	6,927,070
Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	368,900	308,277
Debt	1,163,285	1,588,806
Subordinated debt securities	441,202	448,763
Total liabilities	1,973,387	2,345,846
Commitments and contingencies—Note 3
Shareowners' equity
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in-capital	5,554,059	5,554,059
Treasury stock	0	0
Retained earnings, including undistributed income of subsidiaries: (Successor 2016 - $18,442; 2015 - $181,862)	571,985	268,299
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized gains on investments, all from subsidiaries, net of income tax: (Successor 2016 - $(349,541); 2015 - $(671,285))	(649,147)	(1,246,672)
Net unrealized gains (losses) relating to other-than-temporary impaired investments for which a portion has been recognized in earnings, net of income tax: (Successor 2016 - $(3,864); 2015 - $(212))	(7,175)	(393)
Accumulated gain (loss)—derivatives, net of income tax: (Successor 2016 - $391; 2015 - $0)	727	0
Postretirement benefits liability adjustment, net of income tax: (Successor 2016 - $578; 2015 - $3,194)	1,072	5,931
Total shareowner's equity	5,471,521	4,581,224
Total liabilities and shareowner's equity	$ 7,444,908	$ 6,927,070