Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Investments:
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,924,161	$ 1,985,868
Cash and cash equivalents	112,216	136,078	126,038	602,522
Deferred income taxes	17,256	0
Other assets	302,126	268,485
Liabilities:
Notes Payable	374,433	300,000
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	28,407	33,177
Deferred income taxes	86,204	48,139
Other liabilities	358,577	381,496
Equity:
Common stock	564	649
Paid in capital	602,269	835,232
Retained earnings	503,173	344,104
Parent Company [Member]
Investments:
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	52,668	23,069
Investments (Parent Only)	52,668	23,069
Cash and cash equivalents	10,296	28,093	250	0
Due from affiliates	176	257
Other receivables	376	112
Deferred income taxes	4,235	0
Investments in and advance to affiliates, subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures	1,597,896	1,587,691
Other assets	3,153	28
Assets (Parent Only)	1,668,800	1,639,250
Liabilities:
Notes Payable	374,433	300,000
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	7,069	2,696
Deferred income taxes	2,836	1,477
Due to affiliate	604	247
Interest payable	8,164	7,608
Other liabilities	278	572
Liabilities (Parent Only)	393,384	312,600
Equity:
Common stock	564	649
Paid in capital	602,269	835,232
Retained earnings	503,173	344,104
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	169,410	146,665
Stockholders' Equity (Parent Only)	1,275,416	1,326,650
Liabilities and Equity (Parent Only)	$ 1,668,800	$ 1,639,250