OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	$ 952,694		$ 892,791		$ 2,841,864		$ 2,753,147
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	121,295		94,822		346,225		345,121
Realized investment (losses) gains - investments	(36,282)		120,745		(165,349)		191,294
Realized investment (losses) gains - derivatives	57,108		(124,581)		235,885		(187,163)
Income tax expense	(49,060)		(30,506)		(142,210)		(113,596)
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	93,061	[1]	60,480	[1]	274,551	[1]	235,656	[1]
Realized gain (losses) on investments
Investment gains (losses), gross	(28,189)		113,999		(150,896)		182,946
Less: amortization related to DAC/VOBA and benefits and settlement expenses	8,093		(6,746)		14,453		(8,348)
Realized investment gains (losses) - investments	(36,282)		120,745		(165,349)		191,294
Realized gain (losses) on derivatives
Derivative gains (losses), gross	41,326		(134,222)		192,592		(212,399)
Less: VA GMWB economic cost	(15,782)		(9,641)		(43,293)		(25,236)
Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives	57,108		(124,581)		235,885		(187,163)
Other-than-temporary impairments	8,681		8,556		17,265		40,928
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	55,046,761				55,046,761				54,036,592
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	3,307,513				3,307,513				3,239,519
Goodwill	106,237				106,237				108,561
Total assets	58,460,511				58,460,511				57,384,672
Life Marketing
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	377,416		341,035		1,092,063		1,023,668
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	29,218		28,673		77,598		89,390
Acquisitions
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	240,067		251,550		752,247		812,355
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	29,429		46,155		93,241		128,869
Annuities
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	196,305		141,015		547,259		462,031
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	50,866		9,408		130,646		73,744
Stable Value Products
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	25,208		26,933		91,596		95,949
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	19,206		13,050		59,514		41,654
Asset Protection
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	71,495		72,492		210,879		216,163
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	6,827		4,150		20,292		15,595
Corporate and Other
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	42,203		59,766		147,820		142,981
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(14,251)		(6,614)		(35,066)		(4,131)
Operating | Life Marketing
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	12,913,198				12,913,198				12,171,405
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	2,030,605				2,030,605				2,001,708
Goodwill	10,192				10,192				10,192
Total assets	14,953,995				14,953,995				14,183,305
Operating | Acquisitions
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	11,196,503				11,196,503				11,312,550
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	597,284				597,284				679,746
Goodwill	33,292				33,292				35,615
Total assets	11,827,079				11,827,079				12,027,911
Operating | Annuities
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	19,331,934				19,331,934				17,649,488
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	623,634				623,634				491,184
Total assets	19,955,568				19,955,568				18,140,672
Operating | Stable Value Products
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	2,530,150				2,530,150				2,509,160
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	1,112				1,112				1,399
Total assets	2,531,262				2,531,262				2,510,559
Operating | Asset Protection
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	842,165				842,165				789,916
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	54,171				54,171				64,416
Goodwill	62,670				62,670				62,671
Total assets	959,006				959,006				917,003
Operating | Corporate and Other
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	8,215,533				8,215,533				9,584,411
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	707				707				1,066
Goodwill	83				83				83
Total assets	8,216,323				8,216,323				9,585,560
Adjustments
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	17,278				17,278				19,662
Total assets	$ 17,278				$ 17,278				$ 19,662

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")