Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 shares
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	TRANSAMERICA ADVISORS LIFE INSURANCE CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000845091
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	250,000