EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Calculation of basic earnings per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 78,291	[1]	$ 99,021	[1]
Average shares issued and outstanding	78,206,920		81,449,315
Issuable under various deferred compensation plans (in shares)	932,472		881,015
Weighted shares outstanding - basic	79,139,392		82,330,330
Per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.99		$ 1.20
Calculation of diluted earnings per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 78,291	[1]	$ 99,021	[1]
Weighted shares outstanding - basic	79,139,392		82,330,330
Stock appreciation rights ("SARs") (in shares)	440,164		457,514
Issuable under various other stock-based compensation plans (in shares)	812,749		435,381
Restricted stock units (in shares)	314,439		697,910
Weighted shares outstanding - diluted	80,706,744		83,921,135
Per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.97		$ 1.18
Antidilutive securities (in shares)	670,320		689,545

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")