SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 74,350	$ 118,909	$ 107,977	$ 83,639	$ 118,913	$ 93,061	$ 103,199	$ 78,291	$ 384,875	$ 393,464	$ 302,452
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Realized investment (gains) losses	105,307	(2,621)	11,238	34,827	(451)	(13,137)	(29,903)	1,344	148,751	(42,147)	66,331
Depreciation expense									7,701	6,769	7,860
Deferred income tax									471	175,054	74,333
Accrued income tax									11,140	70,635	19,956
Other, net									(17,487)	(29,098)	(72,325)
Net cash provided by operating activities									723,497	499,550	692,083
Cash flows from investing activities
Maturities and principal reductions of investments, available-for-sale									1,198,690	1,094,862	1,176,422
Sale of investments, available-for-sale									2,271,611	3,239,222	2,548,314
Cost of investments acquired, available-for-sale									(3,603,567)	(5,082,264)	(4,215,228)
Purchase of property and equipment									(8,152)	(11,621)	(6,248)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									88,916	(1,044,658)	(549,910)
Cash flows from financing activities
Principal payments on line of credit arrangement and debt									(785,000)	(420,000)	(676,650)
Repurchase of common stock											(106,201)
Dividends to shareowners									(72,697)	(61,186)	(56,227)
Withholdings of share-based payment arrangements settled in cash									(32,173)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation									20,948
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities									(899,544)	642,849	(40,670)
Cash, Period Increase (Decrease)									(87,131)	97,741	101,503
Cash at beginning of period				466,542				368,801	466,542	368,801	267,298
Cash at end of period	379,411				466,542				379,411	466,542	368,801
PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income									384,875	393,464	302,452
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Realized investment (gains) losses									2,786	(15,040)	10,596
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries									(62,793)	(290,224)	(58,187)
Depreciation expense									279	151	303
Receivables from subsidiaries									17,990	(15,918)	14,872
Deferred income tax									8,798	(16,936)	4,075
Accrued income tax									196	231	15,419
Accrued expenses and other liabilities									17,648	5,124	(2,539)
Other, net									14,192	12,948	7,329
Net cash provided by operating activities									383,971	73,800	294,320
Cash flows from investing activities
Maturities and principal reductions of investments, available-for-sale									1,298		6,650
Sale of investments, available-for-sale											15,086
Cost of investments acquired, available-for-sale									(7,011)	(47,477)	(15,018)
Purchase of and/or additional investments in subsidiaries									(3,654)	(141,242)	(2,524)
Purchase of property and equipment									(62)	(1,346)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(9,429)	(190,065)	4,194
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under debt									500,000	605,000	572,500
Principal payments on line of credit arrangement and debt									(785,000)	(420,000)	(676,650)
Repurchase of common stock											(106,201)
Payments to affiliates										(14,500)	(31,500)
Dividends to shareowners									(72,697)	(61,186)	(56,228)
Withholdings of share-based payment arrangements settled in cash									(32,173)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation									20,948
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities									(368,922)	109,314	(298,079)
Cash, Period Increase (Decrease)									5,620	(6,951)	435
Cash at beginning of period				56,845				63,796	56,845	63,796	63,361
Cash at end of period	$ 62,465				$ 56,845				$ 62,465	$ 56,845	$ 63,796