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Summary of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring and Non-Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Liabilities at fair value    
Separate accounts assets $ (1,573,865)us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability  
Assets at fair value    
Short-term investments 361,369us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments  
Other invested assets 26,897us-gaap_OtherInvestments  
Separate account assets 1,573,865us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets  
Fixed income securities 9,390,647us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities  
Total assets at fair value 11,351,881us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure  
Contractholder funds:    
Total liabilities at fair value (1,662,978)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure  
Predecessor    
Liabilities at fair value    
Separate accounts assets   (1,700,566)us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Assets at fair value    
Short-term investments   55,959us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Separate account assets   1,700,566us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Fixed income securities   290,882us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Total assets at fair value   2,047,407us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
% of total assets at fair value   100.00%ck0000910739_AssetsAsPercentOfAssetsMeasuredAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Contractholder funds:    
Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts   (267,859)us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Total liabilities at fair value   (267,859)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
% of total liabilities at fair value   100.00%ck0000910739_LiabilitiesAsPercentOfLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
United States Government, Government Agencies and Authorities | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   73,846us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Asset-backed securities ("ABS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 377,003us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember		  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 333,483us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember		  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   2,676us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 189,881us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember		  
Residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS") | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   14,450us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Equity indexed annuity contracts    
Liabilities at fair value    
Policyholders' account balances (63,660)us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= ck0000910739_AnnuityContractsMember		  
Equity indexed life contracts    
Liabilities at fair value    
Policyholders' account balances (18,720)us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= ck0000910739_LifeSettlementContractsMember		  
Guaranteed accumulation benefits    
Liabilities at fair value    
Policyholders' account balances (6,367)us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumAccumulationBenefitMember		  
Guaranteed withdrawal benefits    
Liabilities at fair value    
Policyholders' account balances (366)us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumWithdrawalBenefitMember		  
Municipal | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   2,769us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
All other corporate securities    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 7,377,745us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember		  
All other corporate securities | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   191,977us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Foreign government | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   5,164us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Recurring basis    
Assets at fair value    
Short-term investments 361,368us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember		  
Separate account assets 1,573,865us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember		  
Recurring basis | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Short-term investments   55,959us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Separate account assets   1,700,566us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Fixed income securities   290,882us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Recurring basis | United States Government, Government Agencies and Authorities    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 857,326us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember		  
Recurring basis | United States Government, Government Agencies and Authorities | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   73,846us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Recurring basis | States, municipalities and political subdivisions    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 255,209us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember		  
Recurring basis | All other corporate bonds    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 7,377,745us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AllOtherCorporateBondsMember		  
Recurring basis | Asset-backed securities ("ABS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 377,003us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember		  
Recurring basis | Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 333,483us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember		  
Recurring basis | Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   2,676us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Recurring basis | Residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 189,881us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember		  
Recurring basis | Residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS") | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   14,450us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Recurring basis | Equity Options    
Assets at fair value    
Other invested assets 25,672us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_OptionMember		  
Recurring basis | Future    
Assets at fair value    
Other invested assets 329us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember		  
Recurring basis | Municipal | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   2,769us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Recurring basis | All other corporate securities | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   191,977us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Recurring basis | Foreign government | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   5,164us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)    
Liabilities at fair value    
Separate accounts assets (1,573,865)us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member		  
Assets at fair value    
Total assets at fair value 1,791,845us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member		  
Contractholder funds:    
Total liabilities at fair value (1,573,865)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member		  
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Total assets at fair value   1,748,850us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
% of total assets at fair value   85.40%ck0000910739_AssetsAsPercentOfAssetsMeasuredAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Recurring basis    
Assets at fair value    
Short-term investments 191,979us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember		  
Separate account assets 1,573,865us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember		  
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Recurring basis | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Short-term investments   20,764us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Separate account assets   1,700,566us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Fixed income securities   27,520us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Recurring basis | United States Government, Government Agencies and Authorities | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   27,520us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Recurring basis | Equity Options    
Assets at fair value    
Other invested assets 25,672us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_OptionMember		  
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Recurring basis | Future    
Assets at fair value    
Other invested assets 329us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember		  
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)    
Assets at fair value    
Total assets at fair value 9,521,044us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member		  
Contractholder funds:    
Total liabilities at fair value (18,720)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member		  
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Total assets at fair value   298,557us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
% of total assets at fair value   14.60%ck0000910739_AssetsAsPercentOfAssetsMeasuredAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Equity indexed life contracts    
Liabilities at fair value    
Policyholders' account balances (18,720)us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= ck0000910739_LifeSettlementContractsMember		  
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis    
Assets at fair value    
Short-term investments 145,676us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember		  
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Short-term investments   35,195us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Fixed income securities   263,362us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | United States Government, Government Agencies and Authorities    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 857,326us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember		  
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | United States Government, Government Agencies and Authorities | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   46,326us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | States, municipalities and political subdivisions    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 255,209us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember		  
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | All other corporate bonds    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 7,370,409us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AllOtherCorporateBondsMember		  
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | Asset-backed securities ("ABS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 371,753us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember		  
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 330,790us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember		  
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   2,676us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | Residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 189,881us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember		  
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | Residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS") | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   14,450us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | Municipal | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   2,769us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | All other corporate securities | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   191,977us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Recurring basis | Foreign government | Predecessor    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities   5,164us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)    
Assets at fair value    
Total assets at fair value 38,992us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member		  
Contractholder funds:    
Total liabilities at fair value (70,393)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member		  
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Predecessor    
Contractholder funds:    
Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts   (267,859)us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Total liabilities at fair value   (267,859)us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
% of total liabilities at fair value   100.00%ck0000910739_LiabilitiesAsPercentOfLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Equity indexed annuity contracts    
Liabilities at fair value    
Policyholders' account balances (63,660)us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= ck0000910739_AnnuityContractsMember		  
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Guaranteed accumulation benefits    
Liabilities at fair value    
Policyholders' account balances (6,367)us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumAccumulationBenefitMember		  
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Guaranteed withdrawal benefits    
Liabilities at fair value    
Policyholders' account balances (366)us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumWithdrawalBenefitMember		  
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Recurring basis    
Assets at fair value    
Short-term investments 23,713us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember		  
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Recurring basis | All other corporate bonds    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 7,336us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AllOtherCorporateBondsMember		  
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Recurring basis | Asset-backed securities ("ABS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities 5,250us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember		  
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Recurring basis | Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")    
Assets at fair value    
Fixed income securities $ 2,693us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember