EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Calculation of basic earnings per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 93,068	[1]	$ 41,371	[1]	$ 160,585	[1]	$ 111,150	[1]
Average shares issued and outstanding (in shares)	85,434,462		85,634,202		85,556,430		85,610,825
Issuable under various deferred compensation plans (in shares)	911,754		928,177		917,582		920,636
Weighted shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	86,346,216		86,562,379		86,474,012		86,531,461
Per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - basic	$ 1.08		$ 0.48		$ 1.86		$ 1.28
Calculation of diluted earnings per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 93,068	[1]	$ 41,371	[1]	$ 160,585	[1]	$ 111,150	[1]
Weighted shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	86,346,216		86,562,379		86,474,012		86,531,461
Stock appreciation rights ("SARs") (in shares)	495,197		471,503		497,313		465,304
Issuable under various other stock-based compensation plans (in shares)	96,829		138,173		118,762		146,599
Restricted stock units (in shares)	715,489		493,980		646,362		465,663
Weighted shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	87,653,731		87,666,035		87,736,449		87,609,027
Per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - diluted	$ 1.06		$ 0.47		$ 1.83		$ 1.27
Antidilutive securities (in shares)					1,446,130		1,475,645

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")