SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT - Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income		$ 864,308	$ 82,542	$ 84,268	$ 75,414	$ 72,267	$ 93,294	$ 112,120	$ 115,348	$ 268,299	$ 1,106,532	$ 393,029
Total other comprehensive income (loss)										(1,241,134)	692,994	586,611
Total comprehensive income (loss)										(972,835)	1,799,526	979,640
PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income										268,299	1,106,532	393,029
Total other comprehensive income (loss)											692,994	586,611
Total comprehensive income (loss)										(972,835)	$ 1,799,526	$ 979,640
Predecessor
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 1,509
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	465,968
Total comprehensive income (loss)	467,477
Predecessor | PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	1,509									268,299
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	465,968									$ (1,241,134)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 467,477