OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	$ 956,356		$ 908,175		$ 1,889,170		$ 1,860,356
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	117,855		99,556		224,930		250,299
Realized investment (losses) gains - investments	(119,311)		48,044		(129,067)		70,549
Realized investment (losses) gains - derivatives	158,469		(39,913)		178,777		(62,582)
Income tax expense	(53,814)		(31,532)		(93,150)		(83,090)
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	103,199	[1]	76,155	[1]	181,490	[1]	175,176	[1]
Realized gain (losses) on investments
Investment gains (losses), gross	(113,978)		51,985		(122,707)		68,947
Less: related amortization of DAC/VOBA	5,333		3,941		6,360		(1,602)
Realized investment gains (losses) - investments	(119,311)		48,044		(129,067)		70,549
Realized gain (losses) on derivatives
Derivative gains (losses), gross	143,881		(48,268)		151,266		(78,177)
Less: VA GMWB economic cost	(14,588)		(8,355)		(27,511)		(15,595)
Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives	158,469		(39,913)		178,777		(62,582)
Other-than-temporary impairments	4,000		13,608		8,584		32,372
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	54,640,886				54,640,886				54,036,592
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	3,414,988				3,414,988				3,239,519
Goodwill	107,012				107,012				108,561
Total assets	58,162,886				58,162,886				57,384,672
Life Marketing
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	347,021		339,091		714,647		682,633
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	24,673		30,348		48,380		60,717
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	12,645,637				12,645,637				12,171,405
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	2,070,988				2,070,988				2,001,708
Goodwill	10,192				10,192				10,192
Total assets	14,726,817				14,726,817				14,183,305
Acquisitions
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	261,693		261,296		512,180		560,805
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	29,435		43,615		63,812		82,714
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	11,147,145				11,147,145				11,312,550
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	674,028				674,028				679,746
Goodwill	34,066				34,066				35,615
Total assets	11,855,239				11,855,239				12,027,911
Annuities
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	186,025		181,592		350,954		321,016
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	36,382		28,553		79,780		64,336
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	18,729,532				18,729,532				17,649,488
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	610,734				610,734				491,184
Total assets	19,340,266				19,340,266				18,140,672
Stable Value Products
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	34,468		34,360		66,388		69,016
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	22,464		15,958		40,308		28,604
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	2,577,950				2,577,950				2,509,160
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	1,222				1,222				1,399
Total assets	2,579,172				2,579,172				2,510,559
Asset Protection
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	71,813		73,065		139,384		143,671
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	7,384		6,479		13,465		11,445
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	816,381				816,381				789,916
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	57,190				57,190				64,416
Goodwill	62,671				62,671				62,671
Total assets	936,242				936,242				917,003
Corporate and Other
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	55,336		18,771		105,617		83,215
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(2,483)		(25,397)		(20,815)		2,483
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	8,706,529				8,706,529				9,584,411
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	826				826				1,066
Goodwill	83				83				83
Total assets	8,707,438				8,707,438				9,585,560
Adjustments
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	17,712				17,712				19,662
Total assets	$ 17,712				$ 17,712				$ 19,662

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")