SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues
Premiums and policy fees	$ 837,706	$ 653,664	$ 752,752	$ 723,200	$ 717,948	$ 681,324	$ 707,720	$ 692,398	$ 2,967,322	$ 2,799,390	$ 2,784,134
Net investment income (loss)	515,340	434,772	447,064	439,012	460,784	446,374	438,648	443,532	1,836,188	1,789,338	1,753,444
Realized investment gains (losses)	(13,227)	4,263	(47,636)	(5,223)	(44,085)	(2,686)	6,669	(13,022)	(61,823)	(53,124)	45,427
Other income	69,825	65,523	60,638	54,434	54,244	51,046	50,121	75,142	250,420	230,553	189,494
Total revenues	1,022,452	880,594	816,041	885,583	823,070	864,196	867,039	901,755	3,604,670	3,456,060	3,408,585
Benefits and Expenses
Benefits and settlement expenses									2,473,988	2,317,121	2,222,220
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired									154,660	192,183	249,520
Other operating expenses									553,523	487,177	461,570
Total benefits and expenses	902,049	767,239	737,114	775,769	728,313	757,507	749,974	760,687	3,182,171	2,996,481	2,933,310
Income before income tax	120,403	113,355	78,927	109,814	94,757	106,689	117,065	141,068	422,499	459,579	475,275
Income tax (benefit) expense
Current									(18,298)	81,006	(4,576)
Deferred									149,195	70,037	156,095
Total income tax expense	31,931	37,107	25,923	35,936	34,615	35,778	35,438	45,212	130,897	151,043	151,519
Net income	88,472	76,248	53,004	73,878	60,142	70,911	81,627	95,856	291,602	308,536	323,756
PROTECTIVE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Revenues
Premiums and policy fees									869,498	807,044	622,342
Dividends from subsidiaries									109,373	129,751	186,400
Net investment income (loss)									1,301,510	1,331,811	1,255,985
Realized investment gains (losses)									103,422	(43,384)	32,255
Other income									162,666	212,693	60,746
Total revenues									2,546,469	2,437,915	2,157,728
Benefits and Expenses
Benefits and settlement expenses									1,614,671	1,556,966	1,386,883
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired									219,593	134,549	155,614
Other operating expenses									265,345	405,222	189,423
Total benefits and expenses									2,099,609	2,096,737	1,731,920
Income before income tax									446,860	341,178	425,808
Income tax (benefit) expense
Current									(53,269)	(103,541)	(16,675)
Deferred									163,208	163,183	85,472
Total income tax expense									109,939	59,642	68,797
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries									336,921	281,536	357,011
Equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries									(45,319)	27,000	(33,255)
Net income									$ 291,602	$ 308,536	$ 323,756