INVESTMENT OPERATIONS - Summary of Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) for all Other Investments (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
Investment [Line Items]
Fixed maturities		$ 1,282	$ 32,210
Equity securities		(1,001)	92
Impairments on corporate securities		(26,993)	(17,748)
Modco trading portfolio		(167,359)	67,583
Other investments		192	(9,226)
Total realized gains (losses)—investments		$ (193,879)	$ 72,911
Predecessor
Investment [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	$ 6,891			$ 75,159
Equity securities	0			1,793
Impairments on corporate securities	(481)			(7,275)
Modco trading portfolio	73,062			142,016
Other investments	1,200			(13,566)
Total realized gains (losses)—investments	$ 80,672			$ 198,127

No definition available.

Name:	invest_InvestmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount by which the fair value of an investment in fixed maturity securities is less than the amortized cost basis or the carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in the fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pl_ImpairmentOfFixedMaturitySecurities
Namespace Prefix:	pl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the total realized gain (loss) included in earnings during the period as a result of investments other than derivative financial instruments, net of the amount recognized in earnings for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of investments in debt and equity securities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pl_RealizedInvestmentGainsLossesAllOtherInvestmentsNetOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairments
Namespace Prefix:	pl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of debt securities, not separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings and not to the cash proceeds of the sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.3(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDebtInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of equity securities, not separately or otherwise categorized as trading or available-for-sale. This element includes investments in which the entity holds a small ownership stake (generally, less than 20% of the shares outstanding) and cannot exert significant influence.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfEquityInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) included in earnings for investments classified as other.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) realized from securities classified as trading.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Trading Securities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6526789

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesRealizedGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_SuccessorMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: