OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	$ 932,814		$ 952,181
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	107,075		150,743
Realized investment (losses) gains - investments	(9,756)		22,505
Realized investment (losses) gains - derivatives	20,308		(22,669)
Income tax expense	(39,336)		(51,558)
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	78,291	[1]	99,021	[1]
Realized gain (losses) on investments
Investment gains (losses), gross	(8,729)		16,962
Less: related amortization of DAC/VOBA	1,027		(5,543)
Realized investment gains (losses) - investments	(9,756)		22,505
Realized gain (losses) on derivatives
Derivative gains (losses), gross	7,385		(29,909)
Less: VA GMWB economic cost	(12,923)		(7,240)
Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives	20,308		(22,669)
Other-than-temporary impairments	4,584		18,764
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	55,203,672				54,036,592
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	3,262,029				3,239,519
Goodwill	107,786				108,561
Total assets	58,573,487				57,384,672
Life Marketing
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	367,626		343,542
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	23,707		30,369
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	12,426,568				12,171,405
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	2,045,332				2,001,708
Goodwill	10,192				10,192
Total assets	14,482,092				14,183,305
Acquisitions
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	250,487		299,509
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	34,377		39,099
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	11,302,319				11,312,550
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	632,595				679,746
Goodwill	34,840				35,615
Total assets	11,969,754				12,027,911
Annuities
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	164,929		139,424
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	43,398		35,783
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	18,498,392				17,649,488
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	522,122				491,184
Total assets	19,020,514				18,140,672
Stable Value Products
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	31,920		34,656
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	17,844		12,646
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	2,543,291				2,509,160
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	1,318				1,399
Total assets	2,544,609				2,510,559
Asset Protection
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	67,571		70,606
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	6,081		4,966
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	801,616				789,916
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	59,687				64,416
Goodwill	62,671				62,671
Total assets	923,974				917,003
Corporate and Other
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	50,281		64,444
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(18,332)		27,880
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	9,613,199				9,584,411
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	975				1,066
Goodwill	83				83
Total assets	9,614,257				9,585,560
Adjustments
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	18,287				19,662
Total assets	$ 18,287				$ 19,662

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")