EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Calculation of basic earnings per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 93,061	[1]	$ 60,480	[1]	$ 274,551	[1]	$ 235,656	[1]
Average shares issued and outstanding	78,521,996		79,725,407		78,396,347		80,632,108
Issuable under various deferred compensation plans (in shares)	970,278		937,338		950,424		909,354
Weighted shares outstanding - basic	79,492,274		80,662,745		79,346,771		81,541,462
Per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.17		$ 0.75		$ 3.46		$ 2.89
Calculation of diluted earnings per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 93,061	[1]	$ 60,480	[1]	$ 274,551	[1]	$ 235,656	[1]
Weighted shares outstanding - basic	79,492,274		80,662,745		79,346,771		81,541,462
Stock appreciation rights ("SARs") (in shares)	409,964		464,504		433,174		460,104
Issuable under various other stock-based compensation plans (in shares)	592,580		677,218		758,976		568,587
Restricted stock units (in shares)	357,260		601,636		343,631		617,701
Weighted shares outstanding - diluted	80,852,078		82,406,103		80,882,552		83,187,854
Per share:
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.15		$ 0.73		$ 3.39		$ 2.83
Antidilutive securities (in shares)					454,925		665,320

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")