CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net income	$ 60,480	$ 82,857	[1]	$ 235,656	$ 229,603	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of income tax: (three months: 2012 - $205,978; 2011 - $240,855; nine months: 2012 - $384,084; 2011 - $346,225)	382,536	447,306	[1]	713,305	643,004	[1]
Reclassification adjustment for investment amounts included in net income, net of income tax: (three months: 2012 - $(4,931); 2011 - $(3,814); nine months: 2012 - $(6,266); 2011 - $(14,139))	(9,162)	(7,087)	[1]	(11,642)	(26,273)	[1]
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) relating to other-than-temporary impaired investments for which a portion has been recognized in earnings, net of income tax: (three months: 2012 - $12,808; 2011 - $(509); nine months: 2012 - $15,770; 2011 - $(9,561))	23,784	(944)	[1]	29,284	(17,755)	[1]
Change in accumulated (loss) gain - derivatives, net of income tax: (three months: 2012 - $1,828; 2011 - $(420); nine months: 2012 - $2,739; 2011 - $1,424)	3,395	(780)	[1]	5,088	2,645	[1]
Reclassification adjustment for derivative amounts included in net income, net of income tax: (three months: 2012 - $(415); 2011 - $(355); nine months: 2012 - $(354); 2011 - $(478))	(771)	(659)	[1]	(658)	(887)	[1]
Change in postretirement benefits liability adjustment, net of income tax: (three months: 2012 - $(728); 2011 - $(451); nine months: 2012 - $(2,183); 2011 - $(1,354))	(1,352)	(839)	[1]	(4,055)	(2,515)	[1]
Total other comprehensive income	398,430	436,997	[1]	731,322	598,219	[1]
Comprehensive income	458,910	519,854	[1]	966,978	827,822	[1]
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests					(245)	[1]
Total comprehensive income attributable to Protective Life Corporation	$ 458,910	$ 519,854	[1]	$ 966,978	$ 827,577	[1]

[1] Recast from previously reported information