SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT - Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 36,654	$ 110,100	$ 81,495	$ 74,112	$ 864,308	$ 82,542	$ 84,268	$ 75,414		$ 302,361	$ 1,106,532	$ 393,029
Total other comprehensive income (loss)										(1,427,910)	692,994	586,611
Total comprehensive income (loss)										(1,125,549)	1,799,526	979,640
PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income									$ 393,029	302,361	1,106,532	393,029
Total other comprehensive income (loss)										(1,427,910)	692,994	586,611
Total comprehensive income (loss)										$ (1,125,549)	$ 1,799,526	$ 979,640