Name:	plico_DefinedBenefitPlanAdjustedFundingTargetPercentageMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The increase in the fair value of plan assets as a result of contributions made by the employer for the prior plan year.

No definition available.

Name:	plico_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployerForPriorPlanYear
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The employer's best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year, in addition to contributions already made after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

No definition available.

Name:	plico_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInRemainderOfNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the percentage of funded status that must be maintained by the entity for Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation reporting purposes.

No definition available.

Name:	plico_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionBenefitGuarantyCorporationFundedStatusPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the threshold age plus vesting period of active employees, below which employees are eligible for a final pay-based pension benefit for service through December 31, 2007 and a cash balance benefit for service thereafter, and above which employees are eligible for a final pay-based pension benefit for service both before and after December 31, 2007, with a modest reduction in the formula for benefits earned thereafter.

No definition available.

Name:	plico_PayBasedPensionBenefitForServiceEligibleActiveEmployeesAgePlusVestingPeriodThreshold
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the period for which annualized returns are obtained for each asset class, in assessing the reasonableness of the long-term rate of return assumption.

No definition available.

Name:	plico_PeriodForWhichAnnualizedReturnsAreObtainedForEachAssetClass
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=plico_ProtectiveLifeCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: