MONY CLOSED BLOCK OF BUSINESS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Closed block liabilities
Future policy benefits, policyholders' account balances and other	$ 6,138,505	$ 6,261,819
Policyholder dividend obligation	366,745	190,494
Other liabilities	53,838	1,259
Total closed block liabilities	6,559,088us-gaap_ClosedBlockLiabilities	6,453,572us-gaap_ClosedBlockLiabilities
Closed block assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	4,524,037	4,113,829
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	5,387	5,223
Mortgage loans on real estate	448,855	601,959
Policy loans	771,120	802,013
Cash and other invested assets	30,984	140,577
Other assets	221,270	206,938
Total closed block assets	6,001,653us-gaap_AssetsDesignatedToClosedBlock	5,870,539us-gaap_AssetsDesignatedToClosedBlock
Excess of reported closed block liabilities over closed block assets	557,435	583,033
Portion of above representing accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized investments gains (losses) net of deferred tax benefit and net of policyholder dividend obligation		(1,994)
Future earnings to be recognized from closed block assets and closed block liabilities	557,435	581,039
Deferred tax benefit	0	1,074
Policyholder dividend obligation	106,886	12,720
Reconciliation of the policyholder dividend obligation
Policyholder dividend obligation, at acquisition date	190,494	213,350
Applicable to net revenue (losses)	(910)	(10,136)
Change in net unrealized investment gains allocated to policyholder obligations	177,161	(12,720)
Policyholder dividend obligation, end of period	366,745	190,494
Revenues
Premiums and other income	212,765	64,171
Net investment income	239,028	51,141
Net investment gains	10,528	9,252
Total revenues	462,321us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsRevenue	124,564us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsRevenue
Benefits and other deductions
Benefits and settlement expenses	417,667	113,564
Other operating expenses	674	548
Total benefits and other deductions	418,341	114,112
Net revenues before income taxes	43,980	10,452
Income tax expense	20,377	3,658
Net revenues	$ 23,603	$ 6,794

Represents the amount of cash and other invested assets held by the closed block.

No definition available.

Name:	plico_AssetsDesignatedToClosedBlockCashAndOtherInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of future policy benefits, policyholders' account balances and other to be paid as of the balance sheet date to policyholders of contracts in the closed block.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plico_ClosedBlockLiabilitiesFuturePolicyBenefitsAndPolicyholderAccountBalancesAndOther
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of premiums and other revenues impacting an insurance entity's segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts along with the assets allocated to them (known as a closed block).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plico_ClosedBlockOperationsPremiumsAndOtherIncome
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The sum of cash, cash equivalents, investments and other assets allocated to the segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts identified as the closed block.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsDesignatedToClosedBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after valuation allowance and deferred tax liability, of deferred tax asset pertaining to the closed block.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsDesignatedToClosedBlockDeferredTaxAssetNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of equity securities designated as available for sale, which are allocated to the segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts identified as the closed block. Also a component of change in other comprehensive income in the period, which is reflected in the closed block disclosure.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsDesignatedToClosedBlockEquitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of investments in debt securities that are deemed to be available for sale that are allocated to the segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts identified as the closed block. Change in fair of such securities is a component of change in other comprehensive income in the period, which is reflected in the closed block disclosure.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsDesignatedToClosedBlockFixedMaturityAvailableForSaleAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of investments in mortgage loans on real estate allocated to the segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts identified as the closed block.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsDesignatedToClosedBlockMortgageLoansOnRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of other assets held by the closed block. Excludes other investments.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsDesignatedToClosedBlockOtherClosedBlockAssets1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of loans to policy holders secured by benefits under insurance policies that are allocated to the segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts identified as the closed block.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsDesignatedToClosedBlockPolicyLoans
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For the segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts identified as the closed block, the change in the period in the obligation representing amounts to be distributed to policyholders owning contracts in the closed block. Also a component of change in other comprehensive income in the period, which is reflected in the closed block disclosure.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockAssetsAndLiabilitiesChangeInPolicyholderDividendObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Definition

The carrying amount of closed block liabilities in excess of the carrying amount of closed block assets at the date of demutualization (adjusted to eliminate the impact of related amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockAssetsAndLiabilitiesMaximumFutureEarningsToBeRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in unrealized investment gain (loss) on investments that were allocated to the closed block.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 805

-Section 55

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34726331&loc=d3e31071-158570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 805

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)(10)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487222&loc=d3e30806-158569

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 805

-Section 35

-Paragraph 9

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487164&loc=d3e30481-158566

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockDividendObligationChangeInUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effect on the dividends to policyholders of the net results of operations (premiums less allocated expenses) for the period of the closed block.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockDividendObligationEffectOfOperatingResults
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net increase or decrease in the period in the fair value of the fixed maturity and equity investments designated as available for sale as of the balance sheet date that were allocated to the segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts identified as a closed block. Also a component of change in other comprehensive income in the period, which is reflected in the closed block disclosure.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockInvestmentsAvailableForSaleChangeInUnrealizedAppreciation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For the segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts along with the assets backing them (known as a closed block), the total of future policy benefits, policyholder account balance, policyholder dividend obligation and any other closed block liabilities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 805

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487222&loc=d3e30862-158569

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 805

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487222&loc=d3e30806-158569

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Definition

Any other liabilities impacting the balance of the closed block liability account. The closed block is an insurance entity's segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts along with designation of assets backing the policies, established as a way to protect the interests of preexisting policyholders from the competing interests of the stockholders.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockLiabilitiesOtherClosedBlockLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The liability as of the balance sheet date for the excess of the cumulative actual closed block earnings over the cumulative expected (actuarially determined) closed block earnings (each) for the period from the actuarial calculation date to the date of measurement. The excess will result in future dividends to closed block policyholders, unless offset by less favorable than expected future performance of the closed block. The policyholder dividend obligation, which may not have a negative balance, recognizes that a portion of earnings in certain cases will not inure to the stockholders of the insurance entity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockLiabilitiesPolicyholderDividendObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after tax of closed block income from continuing operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 805

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487222&loc=d3e30806-158569

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsAfterTaxResultsFromContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of benefits, claims and expenses that are related to an insurance entity's segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts along with the assets allocated to them (known as a closed block). Includes, but is not limited to, death benefits, matured endowments, participating dividends, general expenses and deferred acquisition costs related to the closed block.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsBenefitsAndExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

The amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to the operations of the closed block for the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsIncomeTaxes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Income for the period from the investments allocated to an insurance entity's segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts (known as a closed block), net of investment expenses, which are typically reported in a table of closed block operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 805

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)(5)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487222&loc=d3e30806-158569

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsNetInvestmentIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Any other expenses impacting an insurance entity's segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts along with the assets allocated to them (known as a closed block).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsOtherExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

An expense for the period for estimated policy claims in an insurance entity's segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts along with the assets allocated to them (known as a closed block), as typically reported in a table of closed block operations as part of summarized financial data.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 805

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(5),(b)(7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487222&loc=d3e30806-158569

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsPolicyholderBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gains and losses realized for the period from the investments allocated to an insurance entity's segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts (known as a closed block).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 805

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)(6)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487222&loc=d3e30806-158569

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsRealizedInvestmentGainsLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The revenues less expenses from operations of the closed block during the period, before income taxes allocated thereto.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsResultsBeforeIncomeTaxes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total revenues from an insurance company's segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts along with the assets allocated to them (known as a closed block).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClosedBlockOperationsRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

The difference between the liabilities of and the assets allocated to the segregated group of participating or dividend-paying policies and contracts identified as the closed block.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExcessOfReportedClosedBlockLiabilitiesOverAssetsDesignatedToClosedBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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