Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments:
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	$ 1,927,842	[1]	$ 1,792,438	[2]
Trading securities, at fair value (cost: $1,371 in 2017 and $50 in 2016)	6,228		7,383
Total investments	2,745,143		2,378,861
Cash and cash equivalents	279,962		211,976		$ 152,294	$ 191,997
Other receivables	229,522		210,448
Income taxes	48,614		37,369
Other assets	359,347		334,274
Total assets	12,460,703		11,438,943		10,610,783
Liabilities:
Notes payable	373,288		372,919
Current income tax payable	24,896		26,365
Deferred income taxes	152,572		198,641
Other liabilities	451,398		449,963
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note E)
Total liabilities	11,041,602		10,217,569
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2017 and 2016; issued and outstanding 44,251 shares in 2017 and 45,721 shares in 2016)	443		457
Paid-in capital			52,468
Retained earnings	1,375,090		1,138,851
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	12,460,703		11,438,943
Parent Company [Member]
Investments:
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	44,405		53,953
Trading securities, at fair value (cost: $1,371 in 2017 and $50 in 2016)	1,428		51
Total investments	45,833		54,004
Cash and cash equivalents	66,226		13,992		$ 15,029	$ 32,634
Due from affiliates	3,272
Other receivables	438		393
Income taxes	12,151		10,640
Investment in subsidiaries	1,683,149		1,534,774
Other assets	915
Total assets	1,811,984		1,613,803
Liabilities:
Notes payable	373,288		372,919
Current income tax payable	6,628		2,552
Deferred income taxes	4,311		5,399
Due to affiliates			1,108
Interest payable	8,214		8,214
Other liabilities	442		2,237
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note E)
Total liabilities	392,883		392,429
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2017 and 2016; issued and outstanding 44,251 shares in 2017 and 45,721 shares in 2016)	443		457
Paid-in capital			52,468
Retained earnings	1,375,090		1,138,851
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax	43,568		29,598
Total stockholders’ equity	1,419,101		1,221,374
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 1,811,984		$ 1,613,803

[1] Includes approximately $0.2 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

[2] Includes approximately $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.