SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014
Successor
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest paid on debt		$ 124,829	$ 234,928
Income taxes (reduced by amounts received from affiliates under a tax sharing agreement)		(53,486)	112,886
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Stock-based compensation		0	0
Successor | PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest paid on debt		75,322	95,095
Income taxes (reduced by amounts received from affiliates under a tax sharing agreement)		(15,669)	(2,596)
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Stock-based compensation		$ 0	$ 0
Predecessor
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest paid on debt	$ 22,802			$ 174,644
Income taxes (reduced by amounts received from affiliates under a tax sharing agreement)	(1)			159,447
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Stock-based compensation	1,550			13,902
Predecessor | PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest paid on debt	5,411			121,327
Income taxes (reduced by amounts received from affiliates under a tax sharing agreement)	(10)			(6,106)
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,550			$ 13,902