SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015
Assets
Fixed maturities	$ 51,904,699	$ 41,176,052
Equity securities	595,884	754,360
Other long-term investments	759,354	915,595
Total investments	66,128,129	54,621,814
Cash	173,714	252,310	$ 348,182	$ 396,072
Property and equipment, net	184,957	111,417
Income tax receivable	0	76,543
Deferred income tax	730,349	453,852
Other assets	250,036	227,357
Total assets	89,938,754	79,629,767
Liabilities
Income tax payable	38,547	0
Debt	1,101,827	945,052
Subordinated debt	605,426	495,289
Total liabilities	84,171,020	72,502,568
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: (2018 - $1,102,394; 2017 - $891,860)	1,639,441	1,560,444
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized gains on investments, all from subsidiaries, net of income tax: (2018 - $(368,830); 2017 - $7,416)	(1,387,504)	27,896
Net unrealized losses relating to other-than-temporary impaired investments for which a portion has been recognized in earnings, net of income tax: (2018 - $(6,054); 2017 - $(538))	(22,773)	(2,022)
Accumulated gain (loss)—derivatives, net of income tax: (2018 - $(2);2017 - $198)	(7)	747
Postretirement benefits liability adjustment, net of income tax: (2018 - $(4,112); 2017 - $(3,469))	(15,482)	(13,925)
Total shareowner’s equity	5,767,734	7,127,199	5,471,521	$ 4,581,224
Total liabilities and shareowner’s equity	89,938,754	79,629,767
PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Assets
Fixed maturities	241,862	140,102
Equity securities	38,176	38,861
Other long-term investments	10	10
Short-term investments	115,625	79,818
Investments in subsidiaries (equity method)	7,289,812	8,563,201
Total investments	7,685,485	8,821,992
Cash	5,982	3,760	$ 78,936		$ 68,615
Receivables from subsidiaries	24,909	38,394
Property and equipment, net	1,105	1,692
Income tax receivable	0	513
Deferred income tax	30,050	103,716
Other assets	38,134	38,487
Total assets	7,785,665	9,008,554
Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	411,963	442,696
Income tax payable	10,034	0
Debt	1,100,508	943,370
Subordinated debt	495,426	495,289
Total liabilities	2,017,931	1,881,355
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: (2018 - $1,102,394; 2017 - $891,860)	1,639,441	1,560,444
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized gains on investments, all from subsidiaries, net of income tax: (2018 - $(368,830); 2017 - $7,416)	(1,387,504)	27,896
Net unrealized losses relating to other-than-temporary impaired investments for which a portion has been recognized in earnings, net of income tax: (2018 - $(6,054); 2017 - $(538))	(22,773)	(2,022)
Accumulated gain (loss)—derivatives, net of income tax: (2018 - $(2);2017 - $198)	(7)	747
Postretirement benefits liability adjustment, net of income tax: (2018 - $(4,112); 2017 - $(3,469))	(15,482)	(13,925)
Total shareowner’s equity	5,767,734	7,127,199
Total liabilities and shareowner’s equity	$ 7,785,665	$ 9,008,554