Represents the number of shares of common stock which are assumed to be payable with respect to each outstanding award.

No definition available.

Name:	plico_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAssumptionsNumberOfSharesOfCommonStockPayableForEachOutstandingAward
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	plico_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalInformationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan), issued during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the forfeiture rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the weighted-average price at which outstanding options, warrants and rights can be exercised as of the year-end.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plico_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsWarrantsAndRightsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of shares to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plico_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesToBeIssuedUponExerciseOfOutstandingOptionsWarrantsAndRights
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

+ Details

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

- Definition

The compensation expense recognized during the period pertaining to the deferred compensation arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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

- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of vesting of share-based compensation awards.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (f)(2)(iii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated measure of the percentage by which a share price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Volatility also may be defined as a probability-weighted measure of the dispersion of returns about the mean. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period. That is the same as the standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the stock prices plus dividends, if any, over the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (f)(2)(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (f)(2)(iv)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=plico_DeferredCompensationPlanForNonEmployeeDirectorsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=plico_DeferredCompensationPlanForOfficersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
PLC
Grant date fair values
Expenses recorded for stock-based compensation plans	$ 25,900,000	$ 15,700,000	$ 10,300,000
Expenses associated with stock-based compensation plans for compensations awarded to employees	6,500,000	4,500,000	3,900,000
Total compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation not yet recognized	27,000,000
Additional equity compensation plan information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	2,154,679
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in dollars per share)	$ 22.07
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans, excluding securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	4,092,546
PLC \| Equity compensation plans approved by shareowners
Additional equity compensation plan information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	1,960,959
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in dollars per share)	$ 22.07
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans, excluding securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	4,092,546
PLC \| Equity compensation plans not approved by shareowners
Additional equity compensation plan information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	193,720
Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers \| PLC \| Equity compensation plans approved by shareowners
Additional equity compensation plan information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	475,386
Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers \| PLC \| Equity compensation plans not approved by shareowners
Additional equity compensation plan information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	41,011
Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors Who Are Not Employees of the Company \| PLC \| Equity compensation plans approved by shareowners
Additional equity compensation plan information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	162,429
Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors Who Are Not Employees of the Company \| PLC \| Equity compensation plans not approved by shareowners
Additional equity compensation plan information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	152,709
Performance awards
Grant date fair values
Awards issued (in shares)	203,295	298,500
Performance awards \| PLC
Grant date fair values
Awards issued (in shares)	203,295	298,500	306,100	191,100
Fair values of awards at grant date	10,484,000	9,328,000	8,608,000	5,433,000
Performance awards \| PLC \| Equity compensation plans approved by shareowners
Additional equity compensation plan information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	907,487
SARs \| PLC
Assumptions used in the model for SARs granted
Expected volatility (as a percent)	69.40%
Expected risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	2.60%
Expected dividend rate (as a percent)	2.40%
Expected forfeiture rate (as a percent)	0.00%
Grant date fair values
Awards issued (in shares)	0	0	0
Vesting period	5 years
SARs \| PLC \| Equity compensation plans approved by shareowners
Additional equity compensation plan information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	102,458
Number of shares of common stock assumed to be payable with respect to each outstanding award	1
Restricted stock units \| PLC
Grant date fair values
Awards issued (in shares)	98,700	166,850
Fair values of awards at grant date	$ 5,100,000	$ 5,500,000
Restricted stock units \| PLC \| Equity compensation plans approved by shareowners
Additional equity compensation plan information
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in shares)	313,199
Restricted stock units \| Vesting after three years from grant date \| PLC
Grant date fair values
Vesting percentage	50.00%
Vesting period	3 years
Restricted stock units \| Vesting after four years from grant date \| PLC
Grant date fair values
Vesting period	4 years