EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Calculation of basic earnings per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 88,614	[1]	$ 70,448	[1]	$ 249,199	[1]	$ 181,598	[1]
Average shares issued and outstanding (in shares)	83,844,567		85,662,988		84,979,539		85,628,404
Issuable under various deferred compensation plans (in shares)	877,665		940,581		904,130		927,357
Weighted shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	84,722,232		86,603,569		85,883,669		86,555,761
Per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.05		$ 0.81		$ 2.90		$ 2.10
Calculation of diluted earnings per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 88,614	[1]	$ 70,448	[1]	$ 249,199	[1]	$ 181,598	[1]
Weighted shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	84,722,232		86,603,569		85,883,669		86,555,761
Stock appreciation rights ("SARs") (in shares)	438,172		468,886		477,383		466,511
Issuable under various other stock-based compensation plans (in shares)	114,881		110,102		117,453		134,299
Restricted stock units (in shares)	729,286		519,035		674,307		483,650
Weighted shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	86,004,571		87,701,592		87,152,812		87,640,221
Per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.03		$ 0.80		$ 2.86		$ 2.07
Antidilutive securities (in shares)					1,434,180		1,475,645

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")