Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flow (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 181,412	$ 162,725	$ 173,806
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred tax provision	25,757	18,333	13,332
Change in income taxes	1,090	(6,423)	(10,967)
Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments	261	(6,246)	(11,382)
Accretion and amortization of investments	(4,825)	(4,554)	(2,766)
Depreciation and amortization	12,266	10,803	10,095
Share-based compensation	17,982	13,788	18,944
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	237,644	187,899	124,333
Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called:
Fixed maturity securities — sold	109,681	98,277	304,838
Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called	314,589	266,738	263,351
Available-for-sale investments acquired:
Fixed-maturity securities	(425,904)	(308,904)	(492,094)
Other, net	(7,484)	(23,818)	(10,949)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(15,645)	35,484	62,294
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(26,512)	(25,058)	(14,737)
Common stock repurchased	(147,922)	(86,280)	(257,584)
Warrants repurchased		(68,399)
Excess tax benefits on share-based compensation	5,804	9,590	5,266
Tax withholdings on share-based compensation	6,377	14,793	10,628
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes, net of discount			374,411
Payment of note issued to Citigroup			(300,000)
Payments of deferred financing costs	(876)		(7,814)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(175,883)	(184,940)	(211,086)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	43,327	36,973	(23,862)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	149,189	112,216	136,078
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	192,516	149,189	112,216
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	33,058	32,905	38,416
Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	181,412	162,725	173,806
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	(70,472)	47,356	8,535
Deferred tax provision	(1,778)	(227)	(1,139)
Change in income taxes	979	(4,912)	2,451
Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments	1,574	(11)	(545)
Accretion and amortization of investments	203	60	400
Depreciation and amortization	23	23	183
Share-based compensation	998	718	215
Change in due to/from affiliates	998	(336)	438
Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net	(550)	290	(109)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	113,387	205,686	184,235
Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called:
Fixed maturity securities — sold	45,312	2,679	67,267
Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called	53,512	20,269	24,503
Available-for-sale investments acquired:
Fixed-maturity securities	(10,290)	(33,118)	(82,107)
Other, net			(70)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	88,534	(10,170)	9,593
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(26,512)	(25,058)	(14,737)
Common stock repurchased	(147,922)	(86,280)	(257,584)
Warrants repurchased		(68,399)
Excess tax benefits on share-based compensation	163	79	22
Tax withholdings on share-based compensation	6,377	14,793	10,628
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes, net of discount			374,411
Payment of note issued to Citigroup			(300,000)
Payments of deferred financing costs			(3,109)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(180,648)	(194,451)	(211,625)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	21,273	1,065	(17,797)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	11,361	10,296	28,093
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	32,634	11,361	10,296
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$ 17,813	$ 17,070	$ 15,858