QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Auditors

        We hereby consent to the incorporation in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 19, 2003 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules, which appear in Protective Life Insurance Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Experts" and "Selected Financial Information" in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Birmingham, Alabama
November 7, 2003

QuickLinks

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Auditors