2.2.0.25falsefalse1010 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATIONtruefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) / shares USD ($) $D2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000355429duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0pl_BasisOfPresentationDisclosureAbstractplfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseBASIS OF PRESENTATION3false0us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION Basis of Presentation         Protective Life Corporation is a holding company with subsidiaries that provide financial services through the production, distribution, and administration of insurance and investment products. The Company markets individual life insurance, credit life and disability insurance, guaranteed investment contracts, guaranteed funding agreements, fixed and variable annuities, and extended service contracts throughout the United States. The Company also maintains a separate division devoted to the acquisition of insurance policies from other companies. Founded in 1907, Protective Life Insurance Company ("PLICO") is the Company's largest operating subsidiary.         These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Such accounting principles differ from statutory reporting practices used by insurance companies in reporting to state regulatory authorities (see also Note 20, Statutory Reporting Practices and Other Regulatory Matters).         The operating results of companies in the insurance industry have historically been subject to significant fluctuations due to changing competition, economic conditions, interest rates, investment performance, insurance ratings, claims, persistency, and other factors. Reclassifications         Certain reclassifications have been made in the previously reported financial statements and accompanying notes to make the prior year amounts comparable to those of the current year. Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or shareowners' equity. Entities Included         The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Protective Life Corporation and its affiliate companies in which we hold a majority voting or economic interest. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. </td></tr></table> 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION Basis of Presentation         Protective Life Corporation is a holding company withfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescription containing the entire organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS140-4 and FIN46(R)-8 -Paragraph 8, C1, C7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 2-6 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 94-6 -Paragraph 10 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 46R -Paragraph 4, 14, 15 falsefalseBASIS OF PRESENTATION12BASIS OF PRESENTATIONUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue