EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Calculation of basic earnings per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 103,199	[1]	$ 76,155	[1]	$ 181,490	[1]	$ 175,176	[1]
Average shares issued and outstanding	78,456,663		80,731,368		78,332,481		81,090,440
Issuable under various deferred compensation plans (in shares)	948,107		908,388		940,333		895,209
Weighted shares outstanding - basic	79,404,770		81,639,756		79,272,814		81,985,649
Per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.30		$ 0.93		$ 2.29		$ 2.14
Calculation of diluted earnings per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 103,199	[1]	$ 76,155	[1]	$ 181,490	[1]	$ 175,176	[1]
Weighted shares outstanding - basic	79,404,770		81,639,756		79,272,814		81,985,649
Stock appreciation rights ("SARs") (in shares)	449,726		458,245		444,971		457,880
Issuable under various other stock-based compensation plans (in shares)	874,019		591,966		843,554		513,674
Restricted stock units (in shares)	358,723		553,736		336,703		625,822
Weighted shares outstanding - diluted	81,087,238		83,243,703		80,898,042		83,583,025
Per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.27		$ 0.91		$ 2.24		$ 2.10
Antidilutive securities (in shares)					629,800		661,645

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")