SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Fixed maturities	$ 34,797,757	$ 29,769,978
Equity securities	602,388	373,715
Mortgage loans	5,486,417	4,948,625
Investment real estate	16,873	6,517
Policy loans	1,815,744	865,391
Other long-term investments	424,482	378,821
Short-term investments	133,024	216,787
Total investments	43,641,685	36,859,834
Cash	345,579	269,582	169,775	236,998
Accounts and premiums receivable	128,115	67,891
Reinsurance receivables	6,008,010	5,682,841
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	3,490,605	3,225,356	3,223,220
Goodwill	80,675	83,773	86,871
Property and equipment, net	51,071	47,391
Other assets	501,509	343,925
Income tax receivable	12,399	61,952
Total assets	68,296,542	57,157,583
Liabilities
Policy liabilities and accruals	31,281,352	22,978,937
Stable value product account balances	2,559,552	2,510,559
Annuity account balances	11,125,253	10,658,463
Other policyholders' funds	1,214,380	566,985
Deferred income taxes	1,060,646	1,783,713
Total liabilities	63,606,116	51,470,370
Commitments and contingent liabilities- Note 3
Shareowners' equity
Preferred stock	2	2
Common stock	5,000	5,000
Additional paid-in-capital	1,433,258	1,363,258
Retained earnings, including undistributed (losses) of subsidiaries:(2013- $(774,766); 2012- $(729,448))	2,713,200	2,507,829
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, all from subsidiaries, net of income tax: (2013: $290,553; 2012- $979,251)	539,598	1,818,608
Net unrealized gains (losses) related to other-than-temporary impaired investments for which a portion has been recognized in earnings, net of income tax (2013- $325; 2012- $(2,147))	603	(3,988)
Accumulated gain (loss)- derivatives, net of income tax: (2013- $(666); 2012- $(1883))	(1,235)	(3,496)
Total shareowner's equity	4,690,426	5,687,213	4,877,350	4,072,113
Total liabilities and shareowner's equity	68,296,542	57,157,583
PROTECTIVE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Assets
Fixed maturities	20,616,992	20,609,232
Equity securities	393,911	276,046
Mortgage loans	4,027,626	4,182,263
Investment real estate	16,873	6,517
Policy loans	908,431	785,841
Other long-term investments	416,290	360,867
Short-term investments	74,907	143,344
Investments in subsidiaries (equity method)	2,602,566	2,586,543
Total investments	29,057,596	28,950,653
Cash	2,440	128,568	(31,964)	88,115
Accounts and premiums receivable	87,636	70,011
Reinsurance receivables	5,575,085	5,358,881
Receivables from subsidiaries		5,424
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	2,271,579	2,089,708
Goodwill	22,582	25,680
Property and equipment, net	49,892	45,921
Other assets	585,597	428,737
Income tax receivable	7,043	165,013
Assets related to separate accounts	13,154,395	10,030,831
Total assets	50,813,845	47,299,427
Liabilities
Policy liabilities and accruals	17,868,373	16,554,276
Stable value product account balances	2,559,552	2,510,559
Annuity account balances	9,551,869	9,308,179
Other policyholders' funds	521,799	452,798
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,148,485	1,354,321
Payables to subsidiaries	2,964
Deferred income taxes	965,982	1,251,250
Securities sold under repurchase agreements	350,000	150,000
Liabilities related to separate accounts	13,154,395	10,030,831
Total liabilities	46,123,419	41,612,214
Commitments and contingent liabilities- Note 3
Shareowners' equity
Preferred stock	2	2
Common stock	5,000	5,000
Additional paid-in-capital	1,433,258	1,363,258
Retained earnings, including undistributed (losses) of subsidiaries:(2013- $(774,766); 2012- $(729,448))	2,713,200	2,507,829
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, all from subsidiaries, net of income tax: (2013: $290,553; 2012- $979,251)	539,598	1,818,608
Net unrealized gains (losses) related to other-than-temporary impaired investments for which a portion has been recognized in earnings, net of income tax (2013- $325; 2012- $(2,147))	603	(3,988)
Accumulated gain (loss)- derivatives, net of income tax: (2013- $(666); 2012- $(1883))	(1,235)	(3,496)
Total shareowner's equity	4,690,426	5,687,213
Total liabilities and shareowner's equity	$ 50,813,845	$ 47,299,427