SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015
Assets
Fixed maturities	$ 41,176,052	$ 38,183,337
Equity securities	754,360	754,489
Other long-term investments	915,595	865,304
Total investments	54,621,814	50,696,163
Cash	252,310	348,182	$ 396,072	$ 462,710
Property and equipment, net	111,417	106,111
Income tax receivable	76,543	116,823
Deferred income tax	453,852	1,317,107
Other assets	227,357	170,004
Total assets	79,629,767	75,003,379
Liabilities
Debt	945,052	1,163,285
Subordinated debt securities	495,289	441,202
Total liabilities	72,502,568	69,531,858
Commitments and contingencies—Note 3
Shareowners' equity
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in-capital	5,554,059	5,554,059
Retained earnings, including undistributed income of subsidiaries: (Successor 2017 - $891,860; 2016 - $18,442)	1,560,444	571,985
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized gains on investments, all from subsidiaries, net of income tax: (Successor 2017 - $6,883; 2016 - $(349,541))	25,896	(649,147)
Net unrealized losses relating to other-than-temporary impaired investments for which a portion has been recognized in earnings, net of income tax: (Successor 2017 - $(6); 2016 - $(3,864))	(22)	(7,175)
Accumulated gain (loss)—derivatives, net of income tax: (Successor 2017 - $198; 2016 - $391)	747	727
Postretirement benefits liability adjustment, net of income tax: (Successor 2017 - $(3,469); 2016 - $578)	(13,925)	1,072
Total shareowner's equity	7,127,199	5,471,521	4,581,224	5,554,059
Total liabilities and shareowner's equity	79,629,767	75,003,379
PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Assets
Fixed maturities	140,102	112,498
Equity securities	38,861	38,472
Other long-term investments	10	10
Short-term investments	79,818	0
Investments in subsidiaries (equity method)	8,563,201	7,019,618
Total investments	8,821,992	7,170,598
Cash	3,760	78,936	$ 68,615	$ 20,776
Receivables from subsidiaries	38,394	9,600
Property and equipment, net	1,692	2,331
Income tax receivable	513	11,061
Deferred income tax	103,716	142,531
Other assets	38,487	29,851
Total assets	9,008,554	7,444,908
Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	442,696	368,900
Debt	943,370	1,163,285
Subordinated debt securities	495,289	441,202
Total liabilities	1,881,355	1,973,387
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 2017 - $891,860; 2016 - $18,442)	1,560,444	571,985
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized gains on investments, all from subsidiaries, net of income tax: (Successor 2017 - $6,883; 2016 - $(349,541))	25,896	(649,147)
Net unrealized losses relating to other-than-temporary impaired investments for which a portion has been recognized in earnings, net of income tax: (Successor 2017 - $(6); 2016 - $(3,864))	(22)	(7,175)
Accumulated gain (loss)—derivatives, net of income tax: (Successor 2017 - $198; 2016 - $391)	747	727
Postretirement benefits liability adjustment, net of income tax: (Successor 2017 - $(3,469); 2016 - $578)	(13,925)	1,072
Total shareowner's equity	7,127,199	5,471,521
Total liabilities and shareowner's equity	$ 9,008,554	$ 7,444,908