PLC CAPITAL LLC
424B4, 1994-06-03
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<PAGE>
   
             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED JUNE 2, 1994
    
 
                         2,200,000 PREFERRED SECURITIES
                               PLC CAPITAL L.L.C.
 
   
     9% CUMULATIVE MONTHLY INCOME PREFERRED SECURITIES, SERIES A ("MIPS"*)
    
          (LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE $25 PER SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITY)
                  GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH HEREIN BY
                          PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
                                   ---------
 
   
    The 9% Cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Securities, Series A (the "Series
A  Preferred  Securities"),  representing  preferred  limited  liability company
interests offered hereby are being issued by PLC Capital L.L.C. ("PLC Capital"),
a Delaware limited liability  company formed by  Protective Life Corporation,  a
Delaware  corporation ("Protective Life"),  solely to issue  securities and loan
the proceeds thereof to Protective Life. Accordingly, the proceeds from the sale
of Series A  Preferred Securities will  be loaned by  PLC Capital to  Protective
Life  in exchange for 9% subordinated debentures of Protective Life (the "Series
A Subordinated Debentures") having the  terms described herein, and payments  on
the  Series A Preferred  Securities will be completely  dependent on payments by
Protective Life  on the  Series A  Subordinated Debentures.  See "Terms  of  the
Series  A  Preferred  Securities"  and  "Description  of  Series  A Subordinated
Debentures".
    
 
   
    Holders of the Series A Preferred Securities will be entitled to receive, in
preference to holders of Common Securities (as defined herein), cumulative  cash
distributions  ("dividends"),  at  an  annual  rate  of  9%  of  the liquidation
preference of $25  per Series A  Preferred Security, accruing  from the date  of
original  issuance  and payable  monthly  in arrears  on  the last  day  of each
calendar month, commencing June 30, 1994.  No dividends received by a holder  of
Series  A  Preferred  Securities will  be  eligible for  the  dividends received
deduction for U.S. federal  income tax purposes. The  payment of dividends  (but
only if and to the extent declared out of moneys held by PLC Capital and legally
available  therefor and not otherwise) and  payments on liquidation (but only to
the extent  of  the  remaining assets  of  PLC  Capital and  not  otherwise)  or
redemption  with respect to the Series A Preferred Securities are guaranteed for
as long as the Series A  Preferred Securities are outstanding by a  subordinated
guarantee  (the "Guarantee") of Protective Life  to the extent described herein.
See "Description of the Guarantee".
    
 
    As of April  30, 1994,  Protective Life  had approximately  $146 million  of
outstanding  consolidated indebtedness,  all of which  would rank  senior to the
Series A Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee.
 
   
    The Series  A Preferred  Securities are  redeemable, at  the option  of  PLC
Capital,  in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 30, 1999 and will be
redeemed, under certain circumstances, from  the proceeds of any cash  repayment
or  permitted  prepayment  by  Protective  Life  of  the  Series  A Subordinated
Debentures, in  each  case at  a  cash redemption  price  of $25  per  Series  A
Preferred  Security,  plus  accumulated  and unpaid  dividends  (whether  or not
declared) to the redemption date (the  "Redemption Price"). In addition, at  the
option  of PLC  Capital, following the  occurrence of an  Investment Company Act
Event or a Tax Event (each as defined herein), the Series A Preferred Securities
are redeemable, in whole but  not in part, for cash  at the Redemption Price  or
exchangeable, in whole but not in part, for the Series A Subordinated Debentures
of  Protective Life referred  to above having an  aggregate principal amount and
accrued and  unpaid interest  equal to  the Redemption  Price. If  the Series  A
Preferred  Securities  are  exchanged  for  Series  A  Subordinated  Debentures,
Protective Life  has  agreed to  use  its best  efforts  to have  the  Series  A
Subordinated Debentures listed on the same exchange, if any, on which the Series
A  Preferred  Securities  are  listed.  See "Terms  of  the  Series  A Preferred
Securities -- Redemption".
    
 
    In the  event  of  the liquidation  of  PLC  Capital, holders  of  Series  A
Preferred  Securities will  be entitled to  receive for each  Series A Preferred
Security a liquidation preference of  $25 plus accumulated and unpaid  dividends
(whether or not declared) to the date of payment before any liquidation payments
are  made in respect of Common Securities.  See "Terms of the Series A Preferred
Securities -- Liquidation Distribution".
                              --------------------
 
    SEE "CERTAIN INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS" FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN  FACTORS
THAT  SHOULD BE  CONSIDERED IN  CONNECTION WITH  AN INVESTMENT  IN THE  SERIES A
PREFERRED SECURITIES  OFFERED HEREBY,  INCLUDING  THE PERIOD  AND  CIRCUMSTANCES
DURING  AND UNDER WHICH PAYMENTS ON THE SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES AND SERIES
A SUBORDINATED  DEBENTURES  MAY  BE  DEFERRED AND  RELATED  FEDERAL  INCOME  TAX
CONSEQUENCES.
                              --------------------
 
    The  Series A Preferred Securities have been approved for listing on the New
York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), subject to official notice of issuance.
                              --------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON  THE
   ACCURACY  OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS TO
     WHICH IT RELATES.            ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS  A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                                 --------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              INITIAL PUBLIC          UNDERWRITING          PROCEEDS TO PLC
                                                              OFFERING PRICE         COMMISSIONS(1)          CAPITAL(2)(3)
                                                           ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Per Series A Preferred Security..........................         $25.00                   (2)                  $25.00
Total....................................................       $55,000,000                (2)                $55,000,000
<FN>
- - - --------------------
(1)   Protective  Life  and PLC  Capital have  agreed  to indemnify  the several
      Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under  the
      Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."
(2)   Protective Life has agreed to pay to the Underwriters, as compensation for
      their services, a commission of $.7875 per Series A Preferred Security (or
      $1,732,500  in the aggregate), except that  such compensation will be $.50
      per Series  A  Preferred  Security  sold  to  certain  institutions,  thus
      reducing the aggregate compensation specified above. See "Underwriting."
(3)   Expenses of the offering, estimated at $969,045, are payable by Protective
      Life.
</TABLE>
    
 
                              --------------------
 
   
    The  Series A Preferred  Securities offered hereby  are offered severally by
the Underwriters, as specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them
and subject to  their right  to reject  any order  in whole  or in  part. It  is
expected  that delivery  of certificates for  the Series  A Preferred Securities
will be made only  in book-entry form through  the facilities of The  Depository
Trust Company on or about June 9, 1994.
    
- - - --------------------
*An  application has been filed  by Goldman, Sachs &  Co. with the United States
 Patent and Trademark Office for the registration of the MIPS servicemark.
 
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
          DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
                            KIDDER, PEABODY & CO.
                                    INCORPORATED
                                             THE ROBINSON-HUMPHREY COMPANY, INC.
                                  -----------
 
   
            The date of this Prospectus Supplement is June 2, 1994.
    
<PAGE>
    IN CONNECTION  WITH  THIS  OFFERING,  THE  UNDERWRITERS  MAY  OVER-ALLOT  OR
EFFECT  TRANSACTIONS  WHICH  STABILIZE  OR  MAINTAIN  THE  MARKET  PRICE  OF THE
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN
THE OPEN  MARKET.  SUCH TRANSACTIONS  MAY  BE EFFECTED  ON  THE NEW  YORK  STOCK
EXCHANGE  OR OTHERWISE. SUCH  STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED,  MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT
ANY TIME.
                                 --------------
 
    FOR NORTH CAROLINA PURCHASERS:  THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR
DISAPPROVED  BY THE COMMISSIONER  OF INSURANCE FOR THE  STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
NOR HAS THE  COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE  RULED UPON THE  ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY  OF
THIS DOCUMENT.
 
                                 --------------
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
                               PLC CAPITAL L.L.C.
 
    PLC  Capital is  a limited  liability company formed  under the  laws of the
State of  Delaware.  Protective Life  owns,  directly and  indirectly,  all  the
outstanding  common limited liability company interests ("Common Securities") of
PLC Capital, which Common Securities are nontransferable. PLC Capital was formed
by Protective Life and  a wholly-owned subsidiary solely  to issue preferred  or
preference  limited  liability  company interests  ("Preferred  Securities") and
Common Securities (collectively,  the "Membership Securities")  and to lend  the
proceeds  thereof  to Protective  Life in  exchange for  subordinated debentures
("Subordinated Debentures"). Interest and  principal on Subordinated  Debentures
are  intended to  fund the payment  of dividends and  redemption and liquidation
distributions on  the Membership  Securities.  Accordingly, PLC  Capital's  sole
source  of  cash flow  is Protective  Life,  and PLC  Capital's ability  to make
dividend and other payments in respect of the Series A Preferred Securities will
be dependent on interest and principal payments by Protective Life on the Series
A Subordinated Debentures. See "Protective  Life Corporation". PLC Capital  will
be  managed by Protective Life, in its capacity as a holder of Common Securities
(in such capacity,  the "Managing  Member"). PLC  Capital's principal  executive
offices  are  located  at  2801 Highway  280  South,  Birmingham,  Alabama 35223
(Telephone: (205) 879-9230).
 
    PLC Capital is a legal entity under the laws of the State of Delaware and is
distinct from  its  owners, who  are  known  as "members".  A  Delaware  limited
liability  company provides limited liability to its members in a manner similar
to that provided to  stockholders of a  Delaware corporation. Therefore,  unless
expressly provided in a limited liability company agreement or otherwise agreed,
under  Delaware law  no general  liability exists for  members or  managers of a
limited liability company.  The Amended and  Restated Limited Liability  Company
Agreement  of PLC Capital (the "L.L.C. Agreement") provides that Protective Life
will have  general  liability for  the  debts  and obligations  of  PLC  Capital
(including  tax obligations,  but excluding obligations  in respect  of Series A
Preferred Securities) in  the same  manner as a  general partner  of a  Delaware
limited  partnership. Under  Delaware law, members  who hold  Series A Preferred
Securities (other  than Protective  Life)  will not  be  liable for  the  debts,
obligations and liabilities of PLC Capital, whether arising in contract, tort or
otherwise,  solely by reason  of being a  member of PLC  Capital (subject to any
obligation such  members  may  have  to  repay any  funds  that  may  have  been
wrongfully distributed to them).
 
                          PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
 
    Protective  Life,  a  Delaware  corporation  incorporated  in  1981,  is  an
insurance holding company  that owns a  group of life  insurance companies  that
provide   financial   services   through   the   production,   distribution  and
administration of insurance and  investment products. Protective Life  Insurance
Company  ("Protective Life  Insurance"), founded  in 1907,  is Protective Life's
principal operating  subsidiary. Protective  Life Insurance  has five  marketing
divisions:   Agency,   Group,   Guaranteed   Investment   Contracts,   Financial
Institutions,  and  Investment  Products.  Protective  Life  Insurance  has  two
additional  business segments: Acquisitions and  Corporate and Other. Unless the
context otherwise requires, as used in this section "Protective Life" refers  to
the  consolidated  group of  Protective Life  Corporation and  its subsidiaries.
Protective Life's principal executive  offices are located  at 2801 Highway  280
South, Birmingham, Alabama 35223 (Telephone: (205) 879-9230).
 
    During  1993,  Protective Life  reported revenues  of  $760 million  and net
income of $57 million. During the three months ended March 31, 1994,  Protective
Life  reported revenues of $196 million and  net income of $17 million. At March
31, 1994, Protective Life had total assets of $5.4 billion, stockholders' equity
of $319 million and life insurance in force of $43.3 billion. Protective  Life's
insurance  subsidiaries generated approximately 94% of  its revenues in 1993 and
98% of its revenues for the three  months ended March 31, 1994. Protective  Life
Insurance  is currently  rated A+ (Superior)  by A.M. Best  Company, Inc. ("A.M.
Best"). A.M.  Best,  an  independent  insurance  industry  rating  organization,
assigns  fifteen  letter  ratings  to  insurance  companies,  ranging  from "A++
(Superior)" to "C-(Fair)." A.M. Best's
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
ratings are based on factors of relevance primarily to policyholders and are not
directed to  the  protection of  investors,  such as  holders  of the  Series  A
Preferred  Securities.  Such ratings  do  not apply  to  the Series  A Preferred
Securities offered hereby.
 
AGENCY DIVISION
 
    Since 1983, the Agency Division has utilized a distribution system based  on
experienced  independent personal producing general  agents who are recruited by
regional sales managers.  At December  31, 1993,  there were  26 regional  sales
managers   located  throughout  the  United   States  and  approximately  12,850
independent personal producing general agents,  brokers, and other agents  under
contract.  In 1993  the Division  began distributing  certain insurance products
through securities broker-dealers.
 
    Current marketing  efforts  in  the  Agency  Division  are  directed  toward
universal   life  products  and  products  designed   to  compete  in  the  term
marketplace. Protective Life currently emphasizes back-end loaded universal life
policies which  reward the  continuing policyholder  and which  are designed  to
maintain  the persistency of its universal  life business. The products designed
to compete in the term marketplace are term-like policies with guaranteed  level
premiums  for the  first 15 years  which provide  a competitive net  cost to the
insured.
 
GROUP DIVISION
 
    Protective Life  markets  its  group insurance  products  primarily  in  the
southeastern  and southwestern United  States using the  services of brokers who
specialize in  group  products.  Sales offices  in  Alabama,  Florida,  Georgia,
Illinois,  Missouri,  North Carolina,  Ohio, Oklahoma,  Tennessee and  Texas are
maintained to serve these brokers.  The Group Division offers substantially  all
forms  of group insurance  customary in the  industry, making available complete
packages of life and  accident and health insurance  to employers. The life  and
accident and health insurance packages include hospital and medical coverages as
well  as dental and  disability coverages. To address  rising health care costs,
the Group Division provides cost containment services such as utilization review
and catastrophic  case  management. Group  policies  are directed  primarily  at
employers and associations with between 25 and 1,000 employees.
 
    The  group accident and health insurance business is generally considered to
be cyclical. Profits rise  or fall as competitive  forces allow or prevent  rate
increases  to keep pace  with changes in group  health medical costs. Protective
Life is placing marketing emphasis on other specialty health insurance  products
which  are less affected  by medical cost  inflation, including dental insurance
policies, hospital indemnity policies and individual cancer insurance  policies.
Sales  of both the cancer and the  dental products have expanded rapidly and now
represent a substantial portion of  the Group Division's premiums and  operating
income.  It is anticipated that  a significant part of  the growth in Protective
Life's health insurance premium  income in the next  several years will be  from
such specialty products.
 
    In  October  1993, the  Clinton Administration  submitted to  Congress draft
legislation proposing major  reform of  the nation's basic  health care  system.
While  it is impossible to predict the  specifics of any reforms that may emerge
from the legislative process, because  of Protective Life's increasing focus  on
specialty  health products such  as dental and  cancer coverage, Protective Life
does not believe that  such basic health care  legislation will have a  material
adverse effect on its business.
 
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DIVISION
 
    The  Financial  Institutions  Division  specializes  in  marketing insurance
products through commercial banks, savings  and loan associations, and  mortgage
bankers.  It markets  an array  of life  and health  products designed  to repay
consumer and mortgage loans upon the  occurrence of certain covered events.  The
majority  of these policies cover consumer  and mortgage loans made by financial
institutions located primarily in the southeastern United States. The  Financial
Institutions Division also markets life and health products through the consumer
finance  industry  and  through  automobile  dealerships.  The  Division markets
through  both  employee  field   representatives  and  brokers.  The   Financial
Institutions   Division  also  offers  certain   products  through  direct  mail
solicitation to customers of financial institutions.
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS DIVISION
    The Investment Products Division  manufactures, sells, and supports  annuity
products.  These  products  are  sold  through  the  Agency  Division, financial
institutions, and broker-dealer distribution  channels. The Investment  Products
Division  was  formed to  respond to  an increased  consumer demand  for savings
vehicles. The  Investment  Products  Division also  includes  Protective  Equity
Services,  Inc.  ("PES"), a  securities  broker-dealer subsidiary.  Through PES,
licensed members of  Protective Life  Insurance's field force  can sell  stocks,
bonds, mutual funds, and other financial instruments that may be manufactured or
issued by companies other than Protective Life Insurance.
 
GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CONTRACTS DIVISION
    In  1989,  Protective  Life Insurance  began  selling  guaranteed investment
contracts ("GICs"). Protective  Life Insurance's GICs  are contracts,  generally
issued  to a 401(k)  or other retirement  savings plan, which  guarantee a fixed
return on deposits with  such a plan  for a specified  period and often  provide
flexibility  for withdrawals, in keeping with the benefits provided by the plan.
Protective Life  Insurance also  offers  a related  product which  is  purchased
primarily  as  a  temporary  investment  vehicle  by  the  trustees  of escrowed
municipal bond proceeds.
 
    GIC sales are affected by the  claims paying and financial strength  ratings
of  Protective Life Insurance. Any downgrade  in such ratings of Protective Life
Insurance could have an adverse effect on its ability to sell GICs.
 
ACQUISITIONS DIVISION
    Protective Life  actively seeks  to acquire  blocks of  insurance  policies.
These  acquisitions  may be  accomplished through  acquisitions of  companies or
through the assumption or reinsurance of policies. Reinsurance transactions  may
be  made with court-administered insolvent companies or with companies otherwise
divesting themselves of blocks of business. Generally, such acquisitions do  not
include  the acquisition of  an active sales force.  Blocks of policies acquired
through the Acquisitions Division are administered as "closed" blocks; I.E.,  no
new  policies  are sold.  Therefore,  the amount  of  insurance in  force  for a
particular block of acquired  business is expected to  decline with time due  to
lapses  and deaths of the  insureds. The experience of  Protective Life has been
that acquired or reinsured  business has been  administered more efficiently  by
Protective Life than by previous management or court administrators.
 
CORPORATE AND OTHER
    The Corporate and Other segment consists of several small insurance lines of
business and the operations of several small noninsurance subsidiaries.
 
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
 
    At  March  31,  1994,  Protective Life  had  approximately  $4.8  billion of
invested assets. Protective  Life seeks  to maintain  a conservative  investment
portfolio, yet deliver attractive returns to its policyholders and shareholders.
The  portfolio  of invested  assets  is managed  to  support the  liabilities of
Protective Life's lines of business.  Protective Life invests its assets  giving
consideration to such factors as liquidity needs, investment quality, investment
return,  matching of assets and liabilities and the composition of the portfolio
by asset type and credit exposure. At March 31, 1994, Protective Life's invested
assets consisted of the following: 65% in fixed maturity investments  (corporate
bonds,  mortgage-backed  securities,  and  bank  loan  participations);  28%  in
commercial mortgages;  3% in  policy loans;  and 4%  in other  assets  including
short-term  investments.  At  March  31,  1994,  Protective  Life's consolidated
holdings of  unrated  or  below  investment  grade  fixed  maturity  investments
amounted to 8.6% of its fixed maturity investments. In the early 1990's the life
insurance  industry attracted  intense scrutiny  due to  mortgage loan problems.
Many of  these mortgage  loan problems  related to  loans made  on  speculative,
multi-tenant  office  buildings  and  on  hotels  --  market  segments  to which
Protective Life, despite the investment of  a large percentage of its  portfolio
in  commercial  mortgages, has  little  exposure. At  March  31, 1994,  loans to
shopping centers anchored by K-Mart, Food  Lion and Wal-Mart constituted 7%,  6%
and 4%, respectively, of Protective Life's commercial mortgage portfolio.
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
                       CERTAIN INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
 
    Prospective  purchasers of  Series A  Preferred Securities  should carefully
review the information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement and  in
the  accompanying  Prospectus  and should  particularly  consider  the following
matters.
 
DEPENDENCE ON SERIES A SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE PAYMENTS
 
   
    The proceeds from  the sale  of the  Series A  Preferred Securities  offered
hereby,  together with the  capital contributions made in  respect of the Common
Securities, will be  loaned by PLC  Capital to Protective  Life in exchange  for
Series  A  Subordinated  Debentures  of  Protective  Life.  After  giving effect
thereto, PLC Capital will have no  assets other than such Series A  Subordinated
Debentures.  Thus, payments by PLC Capital  on the Series A Preferred Securities
will be completely  dependent on  payments by Protective  Life on  the Series  A
Subordinated  Debentures, which  in turn  may be  affected by  the other matters
referred  to  below  and  elsewhere  in  this  Prospectus  Supplement  and   the
Prospectus.
    
 
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
 
    Protective  Life has the right under the Series A Subordinated Debentures to
extend interest  payment periods  to up  to 60  months, and,  as a  consequence,
monthly dividends on the Series A Preferred Securities may be deferred (but will
continue   to  accumulate,  together  with  additional  dividends  on  any  such
accumulated but unpaid dividends at the dividend rate) by PLC Capital during any
such extended  interest  payment  period.  In the  event  that  Protective  Life
exercises   this  right,  Protective  Life  may  not  declare  dividends  on  or
repurchase, except as  described herein, any  shares of its  capital stock.  See
"Description of the Series A Subordinated Debentures -- Interest".
 
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF EXTENDED INTEREST PERIOD
 
    Should  an extended interest payment period occur, PLC Capital will continue
to accrue income for U.S. federal  income tax purposes which will be  allocated,
but  not distributed, to record  holders of Series A  Preferred Securities. As a
result, such holders  should include  such amounts  in income  for U.S.  federal
income  tax purposes in advance of the receipt of cash, and any such holders who
dispose of Series A Preferred Securities prior to the record date for payment of
dividends following  such  extended period  will  therefore have  included  such
amounts in income but will not have received the cash dividends related thereto.
See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Potential Extension of Payment
Period"  and  "--  Exchange  of  Series  A  Preferred  Securities  for  Series A
Subordinated Debentures".
 
SUBORDINATION OF SERIES A SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEE
 
    Protective Life's obligations under the Series A Subordinated Debentures and
the Guarantee  are subordinate  and junior  in right  of payment  to all  Senior
Indebtedness  of Protective Life. See "Description  of the Series A Subordinated
Debentures  --  Subordination".   At  April  30,   1994,  Protective  Life   had
approximately  $146  million of  outstanding  consolidated indebtedness,  all of
which would  rank  senior  to  the Series  A  Subordinated  Debentures  and  the
Guarantee.  The terms  of the  Series A  Preferred Securities  and the  Series A
Subordinated  Debentures  do  not  limit  Protective  Life's  ability  to  incur
additional  indebtedness, including indebtedness that ranks senior to the Series
A Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee.
 
SCOPE OF GUARANTEE
 
    The Guarantee is not a guarantee  that any particular dividend or amount  on
dissolution,  liquidation or winding-up  will be paid;  rather, the Guarantee is
solely a guarantee of payment  of dividends, if any,  that are in fact  declared
out of funds legally available therefor, of the redemption price payable, out of
funds  held by PLC  Capital and legally  available therefor, with  regard to any
Series A  Preferred Securities  called  for redemption  by  PLC Capital  and  of
amounts, if any, available for distribution to the holders of Series A Preferred
Securities upon dissolution, liquidation or winding-up after satisfaction of all
creditors of PLC Capital.
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE
 
    Protective  Life is a holding company  that derives substantially all of its
operating  income  and  cash  flow  from  its  insurance  company  subsidiaries.
Protective  Life's ability to pay principal  and interest on Senior Indebtedness
and the  Series A  Subordinated Debentures  is affected  by the  ability of  its
insurance  company subsidiaries to declare and  distribute dividends and to make
payments on surplus notes (I.E., deeply subordinated inter-company notes owed by
insurance company subsidiaries  to Protective  Life that are  treated as  equity
capital  for statutory  accounting purposes),  both of  which may  be limited by
regulatory restrictions  and, in  the  case of  payments  on surplus  notes,  by
certain  financial covenants. Protective  Life's cash flow  is also dependent on
revenues  from  investment,  data  processing,  legal  and  management  services
rendered  to its subsidiaries. Insurance company subsidiaries of Protective Life
are subject to various state  statutory and regulatory restrictions,  applicable
to insurance companies generally, that limit the amount of cash dividends, loans
and advances that those subsidiaries may pay to Protective Life. Under Tennessee
insurance  laws, Protective Life  Insurance may generally  only pay dividends to
Protective Life out  of its  unassigned surplus  as reflected  in its  statutory
financial   statements  filed  in   that  State.  In   addition,  the  Tennessee
Commissioner of Insurance  must approve  (or not  disapprove within  30 days  of
notice)  payment of an "extraordinary"  dividend from Protective Life Insurance,
which generally  under Tennessee  insurance  laws is  a dividend  that  exceeds,
together  with  all  dividends  paid by  Protective  Life  Insurance  within the
previous 12  months, the  greater  of (I)  10%  of Protective  Life  Insurance's
surplus  as regards policyholders at  the preceding December 31  or (II) the net
gain from operations  of Protective Life  Insurance for the  12 months ended  on
such December 31. The maximum amount that would qualify as ordinary dividends to
Protective  Life by its  insurance subsidiaries in  1994 is estimated  to be $57
million. No assurance can be given that more stringent restrictions will not  be
adopted  from  time  to time  by  states  in which  Protective  Life's insurance
subsidiaries are  domiciled, which  restrictions could  have the  effect,  under
certain  circumstances,  of significantly  reducing  dividends or  other amounts
payable to  Protective  Life  by such  subsidiaries  without  affirmative  prior
approval by state insurance regulatory authorities.
 
    In  the event of the insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or
other winding-up  of a  subsidiary of  Protective Life,  all creditors  of  such
subsidiary,  including holders of  life and health  insurance policies, would be
entitled to  payment  in  full out  of  the  assets of  such  subsidiary  before
Protective Life, as shareholder or holder of surplus notes, would be entitled to
any  payment, and thus such  creditors would have to be  paid in full before the
creditors of Protective Life (including the holders of the Series A Subordinated
Debentures) would be  entitled to receive  any payment from  the assets of  such
subsidiary.
 
REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE UPON OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS
 
    Under  certain  circumstances  relating  to changes  in  law,  the  Series A
Preferred Securities may be subject to  redemption or exchange at the option  of
Protective  Life. See "Terms of the Series A Preferred Securities -- Redemption"
and "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Exchange of Series A Preferred
Securities for Series A Subordinated Debentures".
 
REDUCTION OF PAYMENTS TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS BECAUSE OF WITHHOLDING REQUIREMENTS
 
    In the event that any U.S.  taxes, duties or other governmental charges  are
required to be deducted or withheld from any payments to non-U.S. holders of the
Series  A Preferred Securities, neither Protective Life nor PLC Capital would be
required to pay any additional amounts to such holders and, therefore, any  such
taxes, duties or charges would reduce the amounts received by such holders.
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
                       CAPITALIZATION OF PROTECTIVE LIFE
 
    The  following  table sets  forth  the unaudited  summary  capitalization of
Protective Life  and its  consolidated subsidiaries  at March  31, 1994  and  as
adjusted to give effect to the sale of the Series A Preferred Securities offered
hereby  and the application of the proceeds therefrom as described under "Use of
Proceeds" herein. The table should be read in conjunction with Protective Life's
consolidated financial statements  and notes  thereto and  other financial  data
incorporated  by reference  herein. See  "Incorporation of  Certain Documents by
Reference" in the accompanying Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           AS OF MARCH 31, 1994
                                                                                         -------------------------
                                                                                           ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
                                                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                      <C>          <C>
Short-term debt
  Current portion of long-term debt....................................................  $     9,500   $   --
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
    Total short-term debt..............................................................        9,500       --
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
Long-term debt
  Notes payable to banks...............................................................      136,500       93,702
  Mortgage and other notes payable less current portion................................           99           99
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
    Total long-term debt...............................................................      136,599       93,801
Series A Preferred Securities of PLC Capital (minority interest in consolidated
 subsidiary)...........................................................................      --            55,000
Stockholders' equity
  Preferred Stock ($1 par value shares authorized: 850,000; issued: none)..............      --            --
  Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock ($1 par value shares authorized:
   150,000; issued: none)..............................................................      --            --
  Common equity ($.50 par value shares authorized: 20,000,000; issued and outstanding:
   13,693,244).........................................................................      318,905      318,905
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
    Total stockholders' equity.........................................................      318,905      318,905
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
      Total capitalization.............................................................  $   465,004   $  467,706
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
                                                                                         -----------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
    The proceeds from the  sale of the Series  A Preferred Securities  (together
with  capital contributed  in respect  of Common  Securities) will  be loaned to
Protective Life in  exchange for  Series A  Subordinated Debentures.  Protective
Life  intends to use the net proceeds of such loans (after paying commissions to
the underwriters and other offering expenses estimated to equal in the aggregate
$2.7 million) to repay  bank borrowings under  a variable rate  term note and  a
three  year revolving line of credit bearing interest at rates ranging from 4.4%
to 4.8% at March  31, 1994. Protective  Life intends to enter  into one or  more
interest  rate swap contracts which  will, in effect, convert  a majority of its
payment obligations  with respect  to the  Series A  Subordinated Debentures  to
floating  rate  obligations for  at least  five years.  As of  the date  of this
Prospectus Supplement, the  effective interest rates  under such swap  contracts
would be comparable to the rates on Protective Life's current bank borrowings.
    
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
    The  following  selected financial  information for  the  years ended  as of
December 31, 1993, 1992,  1991, 1990 and 1989  has been derived from  previously
published audited consolidated financial statements of Protective Life, prepared
in  accordance with  generally accepted  accounting principles,  which have been
examined and  reported upon  by  Coopers &  Lybrand, independent  auditors.  The
selected  financial information  for the three  months ended March  31, 1993 and
1994 is unaudited but in the opinion of management, all adjustments  (consisting
of  normal  recurring  accruals) necessary  for  a fair  presentation  have been
included. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 1994  are
not  necessarily indicative  of the  results that may  be expected  for the year
ending December 31, 1994. The selected  financial information should be read  in
conjunction  with,  and  is  qualified  in its  entirety  by  reference  to, the
consolidated financial  statements  from  which  it has  been  derived  and  the
accompanying notes thereto incorporated by reference herein.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                       MARCH 31,                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                -----------------------   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1994          1993        1993              1992          1991          1990          1989
                                ---------     ---------   ---------         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                            (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                             <C>           <C>         <C>               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Premiums and Policy Fees........ $  89,437    $  85,848   $ 370,758         $ 323,136     $ 273,975     $ 248,448     $ 236,830
Net Investment Income...........   100,248       81,196     362,130           284,069       233,502       136,995        82,453
Realized Investment Gains
 (Losses).......................     2,297          125       5,054               (14)       (3,085)       (3,154)          209
Other Income....................     3,562        4,930      21,695            18,835        11,556         8,197         5,231
                                ---------     ---------   ---------         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Total Revenues..................   195,544      172,099     759,637           626,026       515,948       390,486       324,723
Benefits and Expenses...........   171,165      154,804     674,593           566,079       464,245       350,204       292,437
                                ---------     ---------   ---------         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Income Before Income Tax........    24,379       17,295      85,044            59,947        51,703        40,282        32,286
Net Income......................    16,578       11,919      56,550(1)         41,420(2)     35,789        28,133        21,793
PRE-TAX INCOME BY BUSINESS
 SEGMENT
Agency..........................     5,042        4,278      20,064(3)         12,985        12,087         9,877         3,703
Group...........................     1,865        2,464      10,394             7,731         8,146         6,193         6,059
Financial Institutions..........     2,316        2,069       8,196             5,411         4,447         3,120         2,964
Investment Products.............     1,173          890       2,931(3)          4,601           391        (1,351)       (1,423)
Guaranteed Investment
 Contracts......................     9,361        4,900      25,405            14,533         9,933(4)      2,919(4)       (289)
Acquisitions....................     8,966        5,931      29,845(3)         20,031        23,494        17,659        17,736
Corporate and Other.............    (4,487)      (3,658)    (13,667)(3),(4)    (3,896)(4)    (4,110)(4)     3,624         3,327
Unallocated and Realized
 Investment Gains...............       143          421       1,876            (1,449)       (2,685)       (1,759)          209
                                ---------     ---------   ---------         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Total Pre-tax Income (5)........    24,379       17,295      85,044            59,947        51,703        40,282        32,286
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Invested Assets:
  Fixed Maturities.............. 3,101,454(6) 2,386,538   3,051,292(6)      2,185,015     1,541,991     1,035,176       421,165
  Equity Securities.............    72,458       32,805      40,596            26,588        31,235        23,222        20,657
  Mortgage Loans on Real
   Estate....................... 1,357,324    1,227,177   1,407,744         1,178,164       985,159       666,150       388,913
  Investment Real Estate........    28,591       19,330      22,061            17,020        22,240        16,713        10,651
  Policy Loans..................   139,284      117,353     141,135           117,873       120,527       127,253       107,594
  Other Long-term Investments...    16,744       22,243      20,191            19,618        29,259        34,676        20,527
  Short-term Investments........    83,268       54,148      83,692            52,792        65,344       126,046        36,412
                                ---------     ---------   ---------         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Total Invested Assets........... 4,799,123    3,859,594   4,766,711         3,597,070     2,795,755     2,029,236     1,005,919
Total Assets.................... 5,350,255    4,348,525   5,316,005         4,006,667     3,120,290     2,331,197     1,232,280
Total Debt......................   146,099      143,840     147,118            88,248        57,579        81,145        27,831
Total Liabilities............... 5,031,350    4,058,020   4,955,272         3,725,267     2,868,545     2,108,871     1,020,611
Stockholders' Equity............   318,905(6)   290,505     360,733(6)        281,400       251,745       222,326       211,669
PER SHARE DATA
Net Income......................      1.21         0.87        4.13(1)           3.03(2)       2.62          2.07          1.58
Stockholders' Equity............     23.27(6)     21.22       26.34(6)          20.56         18.44         16.29         15.50
STATUTORY FINANCIAL DATA (7)
Net Income......................    13,459        6,096      53,138            32,426        35,196        25,335        20,483
Total Capital and Surplus....... $ 274,896      207,623   $ 265,075         $ 208,476     $ 189,473     $ 167,325     $ 150,636
<FN>
- - - ------------------------------
1.   Reduced  by one-time adjustment of income tax expense of $1,261 or $.09 per
     share due to increase in the corporate income tax rate from 34% to 35%.
2.   Reflects  the  adoption  of  SFAS  No.  106,  "Employers'  Accounting   For
     Postretirement  Benefits Other  Than Pensions," which  decreased net income
     $1,053 or $.08 per share.
3.   In 1993 Protective Life changed the method used to apportion net investment
     income within  Protective Life.  The change  resulted in  increased  income
     attributable  to the Agency, Investment Products, and Acquisitions business
     segments of  $3,000,  $2,000  and $2,600,  respectively,  while  decreasing
     income of the Corporate and Other segment.
4.   Pre-tax income for the Guaranteed Investment Contracts business segment has
     not  been reduced by pre-tax minority interest of $1,631 in 1991 and $1,326
     in 1990. Pre-tax income  for the Corporate and  Other business segment  has
     not  been reduced by  pre-tax minority interest  of $19 in  1993 and $90 in
     1992 and 1991.
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>  <C>
5.   For the ratio  of consolidated earnings  to fixed charges  for each of  the
     five  years ended as of  December 31, 1993, and  for the three months ended
     March 31,  1993 and  1994, see  "Ratio of  Consolidated Earnings  to  Fixed
     Charges" in the accompanying Prospectus.
6.   Reflects  the adoption of SFAS No. 115, "Accounting For Certain Investments
     in Debt and  Equity Securities."  The effect of  adopting SFAS  No. 115  at
     December 31, 1993 (compared to financial statements prepared under previous
     accounting standards) was to increase fixed maturities by $65,622, decrease
     deferred  policy acquisition costs  by $12,450, increase  the liability for
     deferred income  taxes by  $18,610, and  increase Stockholders'  Equity  by
     $34,562  or $2.52 per share.  The effect of adopting  SFAS No. 115 at March
     31, 1994  was  to  decrease  fixed  maturities  by  $28,667,  decrease  the
     liability  for deferred income taxes  by $10,033 and decrease Stockholders'
     Equity by $18,634 or $1.19 per share.
7.   Of Protective  Life's insurance  subsidiaries prepared  in conformity  with
     statutory   accounting  practices  prescribed  or  permitted  by  insurance
     regulatory authorities.  Statutory  accounting  practices  differ  in  some
     respects  from generally  accepted accounting principles.  For example, (a)
     acquisition costs of obtaining new businesses are expensed as incurred, (b)
     benefit liabilities are computed using methods statutorily mandated and are
     not adjusted for actual experience, (c)  income tax expense is computed  on
     taxable  earnings and (d)  furniture and equipment,  agents' debit balances
     and prepaid  expenses  are charged  directly  against surplus  rather  than
     reported as assets.
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>
                   TERMS OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
    Preferred  Securities of PLC Capital may be  issued from time to time in one
or more series, as described in the accompanying Prospectus, with such  dividend
rights,  liquidation  preferences,  redemption  or  exchange  provisions, voting
rights and other  rights, powers  and duties as  are established  by the  L.L.C.
Agreement  of PLC Capital  and a written  action (the "Action")  taken, or to be
taken, by  the Managing  Member to  amend and  supplement the  L.L.C.  Agreement
(which  Actions,  when taken,  constitute an  amendment  and supplement  to, and
become a  part of,  the L.L.C.  Agreement). The  Series A  Preferred  Securities
constitute one such series of Preferred Securities of PLC Capital. The following
is  a summary of certain terms of the Series A Preferred Securities. The summary
set forth  below  addresses  the  material  terms  of  the  Series  A  Preferred
Securities but is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the
text  of the  L.L.C. Agreement  (including the  Action establishing  the rights,
powers and duties relating to the Series A Preferred Securities, a copy of which
Action will have  been filed with  the Securities and  Exchange Commission  (the
"Commission")  at or prior  to the time of  the sales of  the Series A Preferred
Securities).
 
DIVIDENDS
 
   
    Cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Securities will accumulate at
a rate per  annum of  9% of  the liquidation  preference thereof  (or $2.25  per
Series  A  Preferred Security  per  annum) from  the  date of  original issuance
thereof and will be payable monthly in arrears on the last day of each  calendar
month  of each year, commencing  June 30, 1994, when, as  and if declared by the
Managing Member to  holders of record  on the record  date therefor. Payment  of
dividends  is limited  to the amount  of funds  held by PLC  Capital and legally
available therefor. See "Description of  the Series A Subordinated  Debentures".
Dividends  will be computed on  the basis of twelve  30-day months and a 360-day
year and, for any dividend  period shorter than a  full calendar month, will  be
computed  on the  basis of the  actual number  of calendar days  elapsed in such
period.
    
 
    Dividends declared on the Series A  Preferred Securities will be payable  to
the  record holders  thereof as  they appear  on the  register for  the Series A
Preferred Securities on the  relevant record dates, which  will be one  Business
Day  prior to the  relevant payment dates.  Subject to any  applicable fiscal or
other laws and regulations,  each such payment will  be made as described  under
"Book-Entry-Only  Issuance; The  Depository Trust  Company" below.  In the event
that any  date  on  which  dividends  are payable  on  the  Series  A  Preferred
Securities  is not a  day on which  banks in The  City of New  York are open for
business (a "Business Day"), then payment  of the dividend payable on such  date
may  be made on  the next succeeding  Business Day (and  without any interest or
other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is
in the  next  succeeding  calendar year,  such  payment  shall be  made  on  the
immediately  preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect
as if made on such date.
 
    Under the L.L.C. Agreement, dividends  on the Series A Preferred  Securities
must  be declared by the Managing Member in any calendar year or portion thereof
to the extent that the Managing  Member reasonably anticipates that at the  time
of  payment it will have, and must be paid  by PLC Capital to the extent that at
the time of proposed payment it has, (x) funds legally available for the payment
of such dividends and (y) cash on hand sufficient to permit such payment. It  is
anticipated  that such funds will be derived from payments by Protective Life of
interest on the Series A Subordinated Debentures.
 
    Under the  terms  of  the  Series A  Subordinated  Debentures,  so  long  as
Protective  Life is not  in default in the  payment of interest  on the Series A
Subordinated Debentures, Protective  Life shall have  the right at  any time  to
extend the interest payment period to the next interest payment date by a period
(not  to exceed 60 months from the last date on which interest was paid in full)
at the end  of which Protective  Life shall  pay all interest  then accrued  and
unpaid  (together with interest thereon  at the rate specified  for the Series A
Subordinated Debentures to the extent  permitted by applicable law). During  any
such  extended interest period, or at any  time during which there is an uncured
Default or Event  of Default (each  as hereinafter defined)  under the Series  A
Subordinated Debentures, Protective Life shall not pay any
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>
dividends  on, or redeem,  purchase, acquire or make  a liquidation payment with
respect to, any of its  shares of capital stock  or make any guarantee  payments
with  respect to the foregoing (other than (a) redemptions or purchases pursuant
to Protective Life's Share Purchase Rights Plan described under "Description  of
Capital  Stock of Protective Life --  Junior Preferred Stock" in the Prospectus,
or any successor  to such  Plan, and  (b) payments  under any  guarantee of  the
Series  A Preferred Securities or other  Preferred Securities ranking PARI PASSU
with the Series A Preferred Securities). Protective Life is required to give PLC
Capital not less than five Business Days' prior notice of its selection of  such
extended  interest payment period. See "Description of the Series A Subordinated
Debentures."
 
    If dividends can be paid only in  part on the Series A Preferred  Securities
in  any calendar year or  portion thereof as a result  of the lack of sufficient
funds legally  available  for  the  payment  of  dividends,  then  such  partial
dividends  shall be paid on the respective  dividend payment dates on a pro rata
basis to holders of such Series A Preferred Securities. If any dividends on  the
Series A Preferred Securities are not paid in full on any dividend payment date,
additional  dividends will accumulate on any accumulated and unpaid dividends at
the dividend rate for the Series A Preferred Securities specified above.
 
    Except as described  herein, holders  of the Series  A Preferred  Securities
will have no other right to participate or share in the profits or assets of PLC
Capital.
 
CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON PLC CAPITAL
 
    If  dividends  have  not  been  paid  in  full  on  the  Series  A Preferred
Securities, PLC Capital shall not:
 
         (i) pay, or  declare and set  aside for payment,  any dividends on  any
    other  Preferred Securities ranking  PARI PASSU with  the Series A Preferred
    Securities as regards  participation in  profits of  PLC Capital  ("Dividend
    Parity Securities"), unless such dividends are paid or set aside for payment
    on the Dividend Parity Securities and the Series A Preferred Securities on a
    pro rata basis on the date such dividends are paid, so that
 
           (x)  (A)  the aggregate  amount  of dividends  paid  on the  Series A
       Preferred Securities bears to (B) the aggregate amount of dividends  paid
       on such Dividend Parity Securities the same ratio as
 
           (y)  (A) the  aggregate of  all accumulated  and unpaid  dividends in
       respect of the Series A Preferred  Securities bears to (B) the  aggregate
       of  all  accumulated and  unpaid dividends  in  respect of  such Dividend
       Parity Securities;
 
        (ii) pay, or  declare and set  aside for payment,  any dividends on  any
    Common  Securities  or limited  liability company  interests of  PLC Capital
    ranking junior  to  the  Series  A  Preferred  Securities  as  to  dividends
    ("Dividend Junior Securities"); or
 
        (iii)   redeem,  purchase  or  otherwise  acquire  any  Dividend  Parity
    Securities or Dividend Junior Securities;
 
until, in each case, such time as all accumulated and unpaid dividends  (whether
or  not declared) on the  Series A Preferred Securities  shall have been paid in
full for all dividend periods terminating on or prior to, in the case of clauses
(i) and (ii), such payment,  and in the case of  clause (iii), the date of  such
redemption,  purchase  or  acquisition.  As  of  the  date  of  this  Prospectus
Supplement, there are no Dividend Parity Securities outstanding.
 
    PLC Capital may not  engage in any business  or activity other than  issuing
its  Common Securities,  the Series A  Preferred Securities and  other series of
Preferred Securities having terms generally consistent with those of the  Series
A  Preferred Securities (other  than dividend rate, and  other than changes that
would not adversely affect the  ability of PLC Capital  to make full and  timely
dividend  payments or payments upon  liquidation to the holders  of the Series A
Preferred Securities), lending the proceeds thereof to Protective Life in return
for Subordinated Debentures in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount
of such loan, bearing interest at a rate at least equal to the dividend rate  on
Preferred  Securities  of  such  series  and  otherwise  having  terms generally
consistent with those of the Series A
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>
Subordinated Debentures (other than changes that would not adversely affect  the
ability  of PLC Capital  to make full  and timely dividend  payments or payments
upon liquidation to the holders of the Series A Preferred Securities), redeeming
its Preferred Securities in  accordance with the terms  thereof and engaging  in
activities  incidental  or  conducive  to the  foregoing.  PLC  Capital  may not
consolidate or  merge with,  or convey,  transfer or  lease its  properties  and
assets  substantially  as  an  entirety  to,  any  corporation  or  other  body.
Notwithstanding the  foregoing, PLC  Capital  may, without  the consent  of  the
holders of any series of Preferred Securities, consolidate or merge with or into
any  limited  liability company,  limited partnership,  business trust  or other
similar entity formed under the laws of any state of the United States; PROVIDED
that (i) such successor entity expressly  assumes all of the obligations of  PLC
Capital  under each series  of Preferred Securities  then outstanding, (ii) such
successor entity is an  entity expressly formed for  the purpose of engaging  in
such  merger or consolidation and has engaged in no activities (other than those
incidental to formation) prior to such merger or consolidation and, at the  time
of  the  consummation  thereof,  has  no  liabilities  or  preferred  securities
outstanding, (iii) such merger  or consolidation does  not adversely affect  any
holder  of Preferred Securities,  (iv) such successor entity  will be subject in
all material respects to all covenants  binding on PLC Capital contained in  the
L.L.C.  Agreement, (v) Protective Life  expressly acknowledges such successor as
the holder of the Subordinated Debentures pertaining to each series of Preferred
Securities then outstanding, (vi)  such merger or  consolidation does not  cause
any  series  of Preferred  Securities  then outstanding  to  be delisted  by any
national securities  exchange  or other  organization  on which  such  Preferred
Securities  are then listed,  (vii) such merger or  consolidation does not cause
any series of  Preferred Securities  then outstanding  to be  downgraded by  any
"nationally recognized statistical rating organization" (as that term is defined
by  the Commission  for purposes  of Rule  436(g)(2) under  the Securities Act),
(viii) such  merger  or consolidation  does  not adversely  affect  the  powers,
preferences  and  other special  rights of  holders of  any series  of Preferred
Securities then  outstanding and  (ix)  prior to  such merger  or  consolidation
Protective  Life has  received an  opinion of  nationally recognized independent
counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that (w) holders of any series
of Preferred Securities then outstanding will not recognize any gain or loss for
federal income tax  purposes as a  result of such  merger or consolidation,  (x)
such  successor entity will be  treated as a partnership  for federal income tax
purposes and such merger or consolidation  will not otherwise cause PLC  Capital
to  be subject to more than a DE  MINIMIS amount of other taxes, duties or other
governmental charges, (y) following such merger or consolidation Protective Life
and such successor entity will be in compliance with the Investment Company  Act
of  1940,  as amended  (the "1940  Act"), without  registering thereunder  as an
investment company  and (z)  such  merger or  consolidation will  not  adversely
affect  the limited liability  of holders of any  series of Preferred Securities
then outstanding.
 
    The Managing Member is authorized to conduct its affairs and to operate  PLC
Capital  in such a way that PLC Capital would not be deemed to be an "investment
company" required to be registered under the 1940 Act or taxed as a  corporation
for  federal income tax  purposes and so that  any loans made  by PLC Capital to
Protective Life will be treated as indebtedness for federal income tax purposes.
In this connection,  the Managing Member  is (a) authorized  to take any  action
that  (i) is not inconsistent with  applicable law, the Certificate of Formation
of PLC Capital  and the  L.L.C. Agreement, (ii)  does not  adversely affect  the
holders  of  Series  A  Preferred  Securities  and  (iii)  the  Managing  Member
determines in its sole discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes
and (b) instructed not to take  affirmative actions, other than as  contemplated
by  the L.L.C.  Agreement, that  would cause  PLC Capital  to be  deemed such an
"investment company" or taxed as a  corporation for federal income tax  purposes
or  would cause  any such loans  not to  be treated as  indebtedness for federal
income tax purposes.
 
REDEMPTION
 
    MANDATORY REDEMPTION UPON REPAYMENT OF SERIES A SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AT
MATURITY
 
    The proceeds from any repayment at  maturity or permitted prepayment of  any
Series  A Subordinated Debentures (or  any new Subordinated Debentures replacing
the Series A  Subordinated Debentures  as contemplated  by the  proviso to  this
sentence)  shall be applied to redeem the Series A Preferred Securities for cash
at the  Redemption Price,  PROVIDED that  all or  any portion  of the  principal
amount of
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>
Series  A Subordinated Debentures  repaid by Protective Life  at maturity may be
reloaned to Protective Life, and not used for such redemption, if such new  loan
is  evidenced by Subordinated Debentures and, at the time of the issuance of the
new Subordinated Debentures that will evidence such new loan, and as  determined
in  the judgment  of the  Managing Member  and PLC  Capital's financial advisor,
selected by  the  Managing Member  and  who shall  not  be affiliated  with  the
Managing  Member and  shall be  among the  30 largest  investment banking firms,
measured by total capital, in the United States at the time, (i) Protective Life
is not the subject of  a pending case under  the United States Bankruptcy  Code,
(ii)  Protective Life  is not in  default on any  Subordinated Debentures, (iii)
Protective Life has timely made all required monthly payments of interest on all
Subordinated Debentures  for  the  immediately preceding  18  months,  (iv)  PLC
Capital  is  not  in  arrearage  on  payments  of  dividends  on  any  Preferred
Securities, (v) Protective Life is expected to be able to make timely payment of
principal and interest on  such new loan,  (vi) such new loan  is being made  on
terms,  and under circumstances, that are no  less favorable to PLC Capital than
those that a  lender would require  for a  similar loan to  an unrelated  party,
(vii)  such new loan is  being made at a  rate of interest at  least equal to or
greater than the interest rate on  the Series A Subordinated Debentures,  (viii)
such  new loan  is being made  for a fixed  term that is  consistent with market
circumstances  and  Protective  Life's  financial  condition,  (ix)  the  senior
unsecured  long-term debt of Protective Life is  rated not less than BBB-(or the
equivalent) by Standard  & Poor's  Corporation or  Baa3 (or  the equivalent)  by
Moody's  Investors Services, Inc. (or if  either of such rating organizations is
not  then  rating  Protective  Life's  senior  unsecured  long-term  debt,   the
equivalent of such rating by any other "nationally recognized statistical rating
organization,"  as that term is  defined by the Commission  for purposes of Rule
436(g)(2) under  the Securities  Act)  and any  subordinated long-term  debt  of
Protective  Life or,  if there is  no such  debt then outstanding,  the Series A
Preferred Securities  of  such series,  are  rated  not less  than  BBB-(or  the
equivalent)  by Standard  & Poor's  Corporation or  Baa3 (or  the equivalent) by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or the  equivalent of either such rating by  any
other   "nationally  recognized   statistical  rating   organization",  (x)  the
Subordinated Debentures  evidencing such  new loan  will not  be convertible  or
exchangeable  into any equity  interest of or  in Protective Life  or any of its
affiliates, (xi) such new  loan shall not pay  any contingent interest or  other
interest  determined by reference to, or  otherwise participate in, the earnings
or profits  of Protective  Life or  any of  its affiliates,  (xii) the  interest
payable on such new loan will not exceed 175% of the dividend rate on the Series
A  Preferred Securities,  and (xiii) in  any event,  such new loan  shall have a
final maturity date that is before the 50th anniversary of the original issuance
of the  Series A  Preferred Securities.  If, at  the maturity  of the  Series  A
Subordinated  Debentures, an amount less than the entire principal amount of the
Series A Subordinated Debentures is reloaned  to Protective Life, the amount  of
such  principal not so reloaned shall be  used to effect a partial redemption of
the Series A Preferred Securities, provided that, if a partial redemption  would
result  in  a delisting  of  the Series  A  Preferred Securities,  no  amount of
principal may  be  reloaned to  Protective  Life,  and the  Series  A  Preferred
Securities  shall be  redeemed in whole.  In the  event that fewer  than all the
outstanding Series  A Preferred  Securities are  to be  redeemed, the  Series  A
Preferred  Securities  to  be  redeemed  will  be  selected  as  described under
"Book-Entry-Only Issuance; The Depository Trust Company" below.
 
  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
   
    The Series A Preferred Securities are redeemable for cash, at the option  of
PLC Capital, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, on or after
June  30, 1999,  upon not  less than  30 nor  more than  60 days'  notice to the
holders of the Series  A Preferred Securities, at  the Redemption Price. In  the
event  that fewer than all the outstanding  Series A Preferred Securities are to
be so  redeemed,  the Series  A  Preferred Securities  to  be redeemed  will  be
selected  as  described under  "Book-Entry-Only  Issuance; The  Depository Trust
Company" below.  PLC Capital  will not  redeem fewer  than all  the  outstanding
Series  A Preferred Securities unless all  accumulated and unpaid dividends have
been paid on all Series A Preferred Securities for all monthly dividend  periods
terminating  on or prior  to the date  of redemption. In  addition, if a partial
redemption would result in a delisting of the Series A Preferred Securities, PLC
Capital may only redeem the Series A Preferred Securities in whole.
    
 
    At any time after the issuance of the Series A Preferred Securities, at  the
option  of PLC  Capital the  Series A Preferred  Securities may  be redeemed, in
whole (but not in part), upon not less than 30 nor
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>
more than 60 days' notice given within  180 days after the applicable change  in
U.S.  law  or regulation  or written  change  in interpretation  of U.S.  law or
regulation referred to below,  for cash at the  Redemption Price or in  exchange
for  Series A Subordinated  Debentures having, at  the time of  exchange, (a) an
aggregate principal  amount equal  to $25  per Series  A Preferred  Security  so
exchanged  and  (b) accrued  and unpaid  interest equal  to any  accumulated and
unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) at the date fixed for exchange on the
Series A Preferred  Securities so exchanged  if PLC Capital  or Protective  Life
shall  have  obtained an  opinion of  nationally recognized  independent counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of a change in  U.S.
law  or regulation  on or  after the  date of  this Prospectus  Supplement, or a
written change in interpretation  or application of U.S.  law or regulation,  by
any  legislative  body, court  or  governmental agency  or  regulatory authority
(including the enactment of any legislation and the publication of any  judicial
decision  or regulatory determination) on or after such date, PLC Capital may be
considered an "investment company"  under the 1940  Act (an "Investment  Company
Act  Event"); PROVIDED that PLC Capital may  not exchange the Series A Preferred
Securities for Series A Subordinated Debentures pursuant to the foregoing unless
it shall  have obtained  an  opinion of  independent nationally  recognized  tax
counsel  experienced in such matters to the  effect that holders of the Series A
Preferred Securities will  not recognize  gain or  loss for  federal income  tax
purposes as a result of such exchange.
 
    In  addition,  at any  time after  the  issuance of  the Series  A Preferred
Securities upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice given within  180
days  after the applicable change in U.S. law or regulation or written change in
interpretation of U.S. law or regulation referred to below, Protective Life  may
cause  PLC Capital to redeem  the Series A Preferred  Securities in exchange for
Series A  Subordinated  Debentures having,  at  the  time of  exchange,  (a)  an
aggregate  principal  amount equal  to $25  per Series  A Preferred  Security so
exchanged and (b) accrued  and unpaid interest equal  to accumulated and  unpaid
dividends (whether or not declared) at the date fixed for exchange on the Series
A Preferred Securities so exchanged if Protective Life or PLC Capital shall have
received  an opinion (the receipt of such opinion, a "Tax Event") of independent
nationally recognized  tax counsel  experienced in  such matters  to the  effect
that,  as a result of any change in U.S.  law or regulation on or after the date
of this  Prospectus  Supplement,  or  a  written  change  in  interpretation  or
application  of  U.S.  law or  regulation,  by  any legislative  body,  court or
governmental agency  or regulatory  authority (including  the enactment  of  any
legislation   and  the  publication  of  any  judicial  decision  or  regulatory
determination on  or after  such  date), there  is  more than  an  insubstantial
increase  in the risk that (i) Protective  Life will be precluded from deducting
the interest on  the Series  A Subordinated  Debentures for  federal income  tax
purposes,  (ii) PLC Capital is subject to federal income tax with respect to the
interest received on the Series A  Subordinated Debentures or (iii) PLC  Capital
is  subject to  more than a  DE MINIMIS amount  of other taxes,  duties or other
governmental charges; PROVIDED, however, that solely in the case of a Tax  Event
under  clause (iii) above, PLC  Capital may not exchange  the Series A Preferred
Securities for Series A Subordinated Debentures unless it shall have obtained an
opinion of independent  nationally recognized  tax counsel  experienced in  such
matters to the effect that holders of the Series A Preferred Securities will not
recognize  gain or  loss for  federal income  tax purposes  as a  result of such
exchange. Furthermore, Protective Life shall have the right, upon not less  than
30  nor more  than 60 days'  notice given  within 180 days  after the applicable
change in U.S. law or regulation or written change in interpretation of U.S. law
or regulation referred to  above, to cause  PLC Capital to  redeem the Series  A
Preferred  Securities for cash at the  Redemption Price if Protective Life shall
have received an opinion (the  receipt of such opinion,  also a "Tax Event")  of
independent  nationally recognized tax counsel experienced in such matters that,
as a result of a change in U.S.  law or regulation as described above, there  is
more  than an insubstantial increase  in the risk that  Protective Life would be
precluded from deducting the  interest on the  Series A Subordinated  Debentures
for  federal income tax purposes even if  the Series A Preferred Securities were
exchanged for the Series A Subordinated Debentures as described above.
 
    There can be  no assurance that  an Investment  Company Act Event  or a  Tax
Event will not occur.
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>
  REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
    After  the  date  fixed  for  any  exchange  of  the  Series  A Subordinated
Debentures for the  Series A Preferred  Securities, (i) the  Series A  Preferred
Securities  will no  longer be deemed  to be outstanding,  (ii) Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") or its nominee, as the  record holder of the Series A  Preferred
Securities,  will exchange  the global certificate  or certificates representing
the Series  A  Preferred  Securities  for a  registered  global  certificate  or
certificates  representing the Series A  Subordinated Debentures to be delivered
upon such  exchange,  (iii) any  certificates  representing Series  A  Preferred
Securities  not held by DTC or its nominee  will be deemed to represent Series A
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the stated liquidated
preference of such  Series A  Preferred Securities until  such certificates  are
presented  to PLC Capital or  its agent for exchange and  (iv) all rights of the
holders of Series  A Preferred Securities  so exchanged will  cease, except  the
right of such holders to receive Series A Subordinated Debentures. If the Series
A  Preferred  Securities are  exchanged  for Series  A  Subordinated Debentures,
Protective Life  has  agreed to  use  its best  efforts  to have  the  Series  A
Subordinated Debentures listed on the same exchange, if any, on which the Series
A Preferred Securities are listed.
 
    If  PLC Capital  gives a  notice of  redemption for  cash in  respect of the
Series A  Preferred Securities,  then, by  12:00  noon, New  York time,  on  the
redemption  date, PLC Capital  will either (i)  irrevocably deposit with AmSouth
Bank N.A.,  as paying  agent (the  "Paying Agent")  for the  Series A  Preferred
Securities,  funds  sufficient to  pay the  Redemption Price  and will  give the
Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption  Price
to  the holders thereof, including, if  applicable, The Depository Trust Company
or a nominee  thereof or  (ii) pay  the Redemption  Price to  such holders.  See
"Book-Entry-Only  Issuance;  The Depository  Trust Company."  If such  notice of
redemption shall have been given and funds deposited as required, then upon  the
date  of  such  deposit,  all  rights of  holders  of  such  Series  A Preferred
Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of such holders
of such securities to  receive the Redemption Price,  but without interest,  and
such  securities will cease to be outstanding.  In the event that any date fixed
for the redemption of Series A Preferred Securities is not a Business Day,  then
payment  of the redemption price  payable on such date will  be made on the next
succeeding Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of
any such delay), except that,  if such Business Day  falls in the next  calendar
year,  such payment will be  made on the immediately  preceding Business Day. In
the event that payment of the redemption price in respect of Series A  Preferred
Securities  is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by PLC Capital
or Protective Life pursuant to the Guarantee, dividends on such securities  will
continue  to  accumulate,  at  the  then  applicable  rate,  from  the  original
redemption date to the date  of payment, in which  case the actual payment  date
will be considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the
Redemption Price.
 
    Subject  to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without limitation,
U.S. federal securities laws),  Protective Life or its  subsidiaries may at  any
time and from time to time purchase outstanding Series A Preferred Securities of
any series by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.
 
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION
 
    In  the event  of any voluntary  or involuntary  dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up of PLC Capital, before any  payment or distribution of the assets  of
PLC  Capital shall  be made  to or  set apart  for the  holders of  any class or
classes of Membership Securities or  any series of Preferred Securities  ranking
junior  to the Series A  Preferred Securities as to  distribution of assets upon
dissolution, liquidation or winding-up,  the holders of  the Series A  Preferred
Securities  shall be  entitled to  receive, together  with the  holders of every
other series of  Preferred Securities  outstanding, if any,  ranking PARI  PASSU
with  the  Series  A  Preferred  Securities  as  to  distribution  of  assets on
dissolution, liquidation  or  winding-up  of PLC  Capital  ("Liquidation  Parity
Securities"),  an  amount equal,  in the  case of  the holders  of the  Series A
Preferred Securities, to the aggregate of the liquidation preference of $25  per
Series A Preferred Security and all accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or
not  declared) to the date of  payment (the "Liquidation Distribution"), payable
in cash.  If,  upon  any  such  dissolution,  liquidation  or  winding  up,  the
Liquidation  Distribution  can be  paid  only in  part  because PLC  Capital has
insufficient assets available to
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>
pay in full  the aggregate  Liquidation Distribution and  the aggregate  maximum
liquidation distributions on the Liquidation Parity Securities, then the amounts
payable directly by PLC Capital on the Series A Preferred Securities and on such
Liquidation Parity Securities shall be paid on a pro rata basis, so that
 
         (i)  (x) the aggregate  amount paid as  the Liquidation Distribution on
    all Series A Preferred Securities bears to (y) the aggregate amount paid  as
    the  liquidation distribution on all  Liquidation Parity Securities the same
    ratio as
 
        (ii)  (x)  the  aggregate  Liquidation  Distribution  on  all  Series  A
    Preferred   Securities  bears  to  (y)  the  aggregate  maximum  liquidation
    distributions on all Liquidation Parity Securities.
 
    Pursuant to the  L.L.C. Agreement, PLC  Capital will automatically  dissolve
and  be liquidated  (i) when the  period fixed  for the duration  of PLC Capital
expires (I.E., December 31, 2094), (ii) upon the death, retirement, resignation,
expulsion, bankruptcy  (as defined  in Section  18-304 of  the Delaware  Limited
Liability  Company Act) or dissolution  of a holder of  Common Securities or the
occurrence of any  other event which  terminates the continued  membership of  a
Common  Securities holder  in PLC  Capital, unless,  if there  is more  than one
Member remaining, the business of PLC Capital is continued by the consent of all
the remaining Members within  ninety days following the  occurrence of any  such
event;  (iii) upon the unanimous  written consent of the  Members; (iv) upon the
entry of a judicial decree of  dissolution under Section 18-802 of the  Delaware
Limited  Liability Company  Act or  (v) upon  a merger  or consolidation  of PLC
Capital other than as  expressly provided in the  L.L.C. Agreement. A merger  or
consolidation  of  Protective  Life into  or  with  any other  entity  will not,
however, dissolve PLC Capital and the surviving entity will continue to hold the
Common Securities. Under the L.L.C. Agreement and the Guarantee, Protective Life
will covenant, to  the extent  permitted by law,  that it  will not  voluntarily
dissolve,  wind  up  or  liquidate  PLC Capital,  or  allow  PLC  Capital  to be
dissolved, wound-up  or liquidated,  so  long as  any Preferred  Securities  are
outstanding.  See  "Description of  the Guarantee  --  Certain Covenants  of the
Guarantor".
 
    If a limited  liability company  organized under the  laws of  the State  of
Delaware  has any  publicly traded  limited liability  company interests  and is
treated as  a  corporation  for  U.S. federal  income  tax  purposes,  then,  on
application by or for a member or the manager of such limited liability company,
the Delaware Court of Chancery shall (x) grant such relief as may be appropriate
to  cause the limited liability company not  to have any publicly traded limited
liability company  interests  or  (y)  decree the  dissolution  of  the  limited
liability company.
 
PERSONAL LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF COMMON SECURITIES
 
    Under the L.L.C. Agreement, Protective Life and a special purpose subsidiary
of Protective Life, in their capacities as holders of Common Securities, will be
liable  for, and will pay (as  additional capital contributions to PLC Capital),
the debts of  and claims  against PLC  Capital (including  tax obligations,  but
excluding obligations in respect of the Series A Preferred Securities).
 
VOTING RIGHTS
    Except  as  provided  below  and  under  "Description  of  the  Guarantee --
Amendments and  Assignment"  and  "Description  of  the  Series  A  Subordinated
Debentures  -- Miscellaneous," the holders of  the Series A Preferred Securities
will have no voting rights.
 
    If (i) PLC Capital fails to pay dividends in full on the Series A  Preferred
Securities  (whether or not funds are legally available therefor) for 18 monthly
dividend periods or (ii) Protective Life  breaches any of its obligations  under
the  Series  A  Subordinated Debentures  or  any  of its  obligations  under the
Guarantee (as defined in  "Description of the Guarantee"),  then the holders  of
the  outstanding Series A Preferred Securities, together with the holders of any
other  series  of  Preferred  Securities  having  the  right  to  vote  for  the
appointment  of  a trustee  in such  event, acting  as a  single class,  will be
entitled, by  ordinary  resolution  passed  by the  holders  of  a  majority  in
liquidation  preference  (plus all  accumulated  and unpaid  dividends)  of such
Preferred Securities present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting
of such holders convened  for such purpose (or  by written consent), to  appoint
and authorize a trustee to enforce PLC Capital's rights as a creditor in respect
of  the Series  A Subordinated  Debentures, to  enforce the  limited obligations
undertaken by  Protective  Life under  the  Guarantee  and to  declare  and  pay
dividends to the
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>
extent  that funds are held by PLC Capital and legally available therefor. For a
description  of  rights  and  obligations   under  the  Series  A   Subordinated
Debentures,  including the right of Protective Life  to extend the period to the
next interest  payment date  to up  to 60  months (even  if a  trustee has  been
appointed),  see  "Description of  the  Series A  Subordinated  Debentures." For
purposes of determining whether PLC Capital has failed to pay dividends in  full
for 18 monthly dividend periods, dividends shall be deemed to remain in arrears,
notwithstanding any payments in respect thereof, until full cumulative dividends
have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid with respect to all monthly
dividend  periods terminating on  or prior to  the date of  payment of such full
cumulative dividends. Not later than 30 days after such entitlement arises,  the
Managing  Member will convene a separate  general meeting for the above purpose.
If the Managing Member fails to convene such meeting within such 30-day  period,
the holders of 10% in aggregate liquidation preference (plus all accumulated and
unpaid  dividends) of  the outstanding  Series A  Preferred Securities  and such
other Preferred Securities  will be  entitled to convene  such separate  general
meeting.  The provisions of  the L.L.C. Agreement relating  to the convening and
conduct of the general meetings of Members (as defined in the L.L.C.  Agreement)
will  apply with respect  to any such  separate general meeting.  Any trustee so
appointed shall vacate  office, subject  to the  terms of  such other  Preferred
Securities,  if PLC Capital (or Protective Life pursuant to the Guarantee) shall
have paid in full all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred
Securities (if the event that  gave rise to such  appointment was clause (i)  of
this  paragraph) or such breach by Protective Life shall have been cured (if the
event that gave rise to such appointment was clause (ii) of this paragraph).
 
   
    If any resolution  is proposed for  adoption by the  Members of PLC  Capital
providing for, or the Managing Member proposes to take, any action that will (w)
amend  or alter  the provisions  of the  L.L.C. Agreement  (including the Action
creating the Series A Preferred Securities) so as to adversely affect any rights
or powers of the Series A Preferred Securities or the holders thereof or  result
in  the authorization or  issuance of any limited  liability company interest in
PLC Capital  ranking,  as  to  dividends or  upon  dissolution,  liquidation  or
winding-up,  senior  to the  Series A  Preferred Securities,  (x) result  in the
dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of PLC  Capital, (y) waive any rights  of
PLC  Capital under the  Series A Subordinated  Debentures or allow  the Series A
Subordinated Debentures to  be repurchased  or prepaid  prior to  June 30,  1999
(unless  (i)  there  is  an  Event of  Default  relating  to  the  bankruptcy of
Protective Life or
certain similar events or there is any other Event of Default thereunder and the
Series A Subordinated Debentures are accelerated pursuant to the request of  the
holders  of 25%  or more of  the Series A  Preferred Securities or  of a trustee
appointed by the Holders of Series A Preferred Securities as contemplated in the
preceding paragraph  or (ii)  in connection  with a  redemption occurring  as  a
result  of a  Tax Event or  an Investment Company  Act Event) or  (z) modify (i)
Section 2.6 of the  L.L.C. Agreement which limits  the business and activity  in
which  PLC Capital may  engage, (ii) Section  7.1 of the  L.L.C. Agreement which
absolutely prohibits transfers of  Common Securities, (iii)  Section 3.3 of  the
L.L.C.  Agreement  which  requires  the  holders  of  the  Common  Securities to
contribute amounts to PLC Capital such  that the Common Securities represent  at
all times not less than 21% of all interests in the capital, income, gain, loss,
deduction  or credit of PLC Capital or  (iv) Section 6.2 of the L.L.C. Agreement
pursuant to which the  holders of the Common  Securities agree to be  personally
liable  for and to  pay all debts  of and claims  against PLC Capital (excluding
obligations in  respect  of  the  Preferred Securities),  then  the  holders  of
outstanding  Series A  Preferred Securities  (and, in  the case  of a resolution
described in clause (w) above that would, to a like extent, adversely affect the
rights or powers  of any Dividend  Parity Securities or  any Liquidation  Parity
Securities,  the holders of such Dividend  Parity Securities or such Liquidation
Parity Securities,  as the  case  may be,  or, in  the  case of  any  resolution
described in clause (x) or (z) above, all Liquidation Parity Securities) will be
entitled  to vote together as  a class on such resolution  (but not on any other
resolution) (i)  at a  separate meeting  of such  holders, (ii)  at the  general
meeting  of Members called for the purpose  of adopting such resolution or (iii)
without a meeting  but in writing,  and such resolution  shall not be  effective
except with the approval, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), of the holders of
66  2/3% in  aggregate liquidation preference  (plus all  accumulated and unpaid
dividends) of such  outstanding securities present  in person or  by proxy at  a
meeting  at  which  66  2/3%  in  aggregate  liquidation  preference  (plus  all
    
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>
accumulated and unpaid dividends) of such  securities are so present or, in  the
case  of  clause (iii),  by  the holders  of  66 2/3%  in  aggregate liquidation
preference (plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends) of such securities.
 
    PLC Capital will  cause a  notice of  any meeting  at which  holders of  the
Series  A Preferred Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which
action by written consent is to be taken, to be mailed to each holder of  record
of  the Series A Preferred Securities. Each such notice will include a statement
setting forth (i) the date of such meeting  or the date by which such action  is
to  be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such
meeting on which such holders  are entitled to vote or  of such matter on  which
written  consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or
written consents.
 
    Notwithstanding that holders of Series  A Preferred Securities are  entitled
to  vote under  any of the  circumstances described  above, any of  the Series A
Preferred Securities and such other  Preferred Securities entitled to vote  with
such  Series A Preferred Securities  as a single class  outstanding at such time
that are owned by  Protective Life or  any Affiliate (as  defined in the  L.L.C.
Agreement),  either directly  or indirectly, shall  not be entitled  to vote and
shall, for  the  purposes  of  such  vote,  be  treated  as  if  they  were  not
outstanding.
 
    No vote of the holders of the Series A Preferred Securities will be required
for PLC Capital to redeem and cancel Series A Preferred Securities in accordance
with the L.L.C. Agreement (including the Actions).
 
BOOK-ENTRY-ONLY ISSUANCE; THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
 
    The  Depository  Trust  Company ("DTC"),  New  York,  New York  will  act as
securities depository for the Series A Preferred Securities. The information  in
this   section  concerning  DTC  and  DTC's  book-entry  system  is  based  upon
information obtained from DTC.
 
    The  Series   A   Preferred  Securities   will   be  issued   initially   as
fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's nominee)
in  substantially the form attached as  an exhibit to the Registration Statement
of which this Prospectus Supplement forms  a part. One or more  fully-registered
Series  A Preferred  Security certificates will  be issued,  representing in the
aggregate the  total  number of  Series  A  Preferred Securities,  and  will  be
deposited with DTC.
 
    DTC  is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law,  a
member  of  the  Federal Reserve  System,  a "clearing  corporation"  within the
meaning of  the  New York  Uniform  Commercial  Code, and  a  "clearing  agency"
registered  pursuant to the provisions  of Section 17A of  the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that  its participants ("Participants")  deposit with DTC.  DTC
also  facilitates the settlement among  Participants of securities transactions,
such as  transfers  and  pledges, in  deposited  securities  through  electronic
computerized  book-entry changes in  Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating
the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Participants  include
securities  brokers and  dealers, banks, trust  companies, clearing corporations
and certain  other organizations  ("Direct  Participants"). DTC  is owned  by  a
number  of its Direct Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the
American Stock  Exchange,  Inc.,  and the  National  Association  of  Securities
Dealers,  Inc. Access  to the  DTC system  is also  available to  others such as
securities brokers and dealers, banks, and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly  or
indirectly  ("Indirect  Participants").  The  Rules applicable  to  DTC  and its
participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
    Purchases of Series A Preferred Securities under the DTC system must be made
by or through Direct Participants,  who will receive a  credit for the Series  A
Preferred  Securities on  DTC's records. The  ownership interest  of each actual
purchaser of each Series A Preferred Security (a "Beneficial Owner") is in  turn
to  be recorded  on the  Direct and  Indirect Participants'  records. Beneficial
Owners will not  receive written confirmation  from DTC of  their purchase,  but
Beneficial  Owners  are  expected  to  receive  written  confirmations providing
details of the transactions, as well  as periodic statements of their  holdings,
from  the  Direct or  Indirect Participant  through  which the  Beneficial Owner
purchased Series A Preferred
 
                                      S-19
<PAGE>
Securities.  Transfers  of  ownership  interests  in  the  Series  A   Preferred
Securities  are to be accomplished by entries  made on the books of Participants
acting on  behalf  of Beneficial  Owners.  Beneficial Owners  will  not  receive
certificates  representing  their  ownership  interests  in  Series  A Preferred
Securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Series
A Preferred Securities is discontinued.
 
    To facilitate  subsequent  transfers,  all  Series  A  Preferred  Securities
deposited  by Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's nominee,
Cede & Co.  The deposit  of Series  A Preferred  Securities with  DTC and  their
registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial ownership.
DTC  has no knowledge of the actual  Beneficial Owners of the Series A Preferred
Securities; DTC's records reflect only  the identity of the Direct  Participants
to  whose accounts such Series A Preferred Securities are credited, which may or
may not be the Beneficial Owners.  The Participants will remain responsible  for
keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
 
    Conveyance   of  notices   and  other   communications  by   DTC  to  Direct
Participants, by Direct  Participants to  Indirect Participants,  and by  Direct
Participants  and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements  as
may be in effect from time to time.
 
    Redemption  notices shall  be sent to  Cede &  Co., as record  holder of the
Series A  Preferred Securities.  If less  than  all of  the Series  A  Preferred
Securities  are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by lot the amount
of the interest of each Direct Participant in such series to be redeemed.
 
    Although voting  with  respect  to  the Series  A  Preferred  Securities  is
limited,  in those cases  where a vote is  required, neither DTC  nor Cede & Co.
will consent or vote  with respect to Series  A Preferred Securities. Under  its
usual  procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to PLC Capital as soon as possible
after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consent or  voting
rights  to those  Direct Participants to  whose accounts the  Series A Preferred
Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached  to
the Omnibus Proxy).
 
    Dividend  payments on the Series A Preferred  Securities will be made to the
Paying Agent with instructions to transfer such payments to DTC. DTC's  practice
is  to  credit Direct  Participants' accounts  on the  relevant payable  date in
accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's records unless DTC  has
reason  to  believe that  it will  not  receive payments  on such  payable date.
Payments by  Participants to  Beneficial  Owners will  be governed  by  standing
instructions  and customary  practices and  will be  the responsibility  of such
Participant and not of DTC or  PLC Capital, subject to any statutory  regulatory
requirements  as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of dividends to DTC
is the responsibility of  PLC Capital, disbursement of  such payments to  Direct
Participants  shall  be  the responsibility  of  DTC, and  disbursement  of such
payments to the  Beneficial Owners  shall be  the responsibility  of Direct  and
Indirect Participants.
 
    DTC  may discontinue  providing its  services as  securities depository with
respect to the Series  A Preferred Securities at  any time by giving  reasonable
notice  to PLC Capital. Under such circumstances,  in the event that a successor
securities depository is not obtained, Series A Preferred Security  certificates
are required to be printed and delivered.
 
REGISTRAR, TRANSFER AGENT AND PAYING AGENT
 
    AmSouth  Bank NA will act as registrar,  transfer agent and Paying Agent for
the Series A Preferred Securities.
 
    Registration of transfers of Series A Preferred Securities will be  effected
without charge by or on behalf of PLC Capital, but upon payment (with the giving
of  such indemnity as PLC Capital or  Protective Life may require) in respect of
any tax or other governmental charges which may be imposed in relation to it.
 
    PLC Capital will not be required to  register or cause to be registered  the
transfer  of  Series  A  Preferred  Securities  after  such  Series  A Preferred
Securities have been called for redemption.
 
                                      S-20
<PAGE>
MISCELLANEOUS
 
    Except as  described  in this  Prospectus  Supplement, PLC  Capital  is  not
subject  to any mandatory redemption or  sinking fund provisions with respect to
the Series A Preferred Securities. Holders of Series A Preferred Securities have
no preemptive rights.
 
    The Common  Securities are  owned by  the  Managing Member  and one  of  its
wholly-owned  subsidiaries.  The  Common Securities  are  not  transferable. The
Managing Member and  the other  holder of  the Common  Securities are  required,
pursuant  to the  terms of  the L.L.C. Agreement,  to contribute  to PLC Capital
amounts such that the Common Securities at  all times represent at least 21%  of
all  interests in the capital,  income, gain, loss, deduction  and credit of PLC
Capital.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEE
 
    Set forth below is condensed information concerning the Guarantee which will
be executed and delivered by Protective Life for the benefit of the holders from
time to time of the Series A  Preferred Securities. The summary set forth  below
addresses  the material terms of the Guarantee  but is subject to, and qualified
in its entirety by reference to, the text of the Guarantee Agreement pursuant to
which the Guarantee will be made, a copy  of which has been filed as an  exhibit
to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus Supplement is part.
 
GENERAL
    Protective  Life will irrevocably  and unconditionally agree,  to the extent
set forth herein, to pay the  Guarantee Payments (defined below) (except to  the
extent  paid by PLC Capital), as and  when due, regardless of any defense, right
of set-off or counterclaim which PLC  Capital may have or assert. The  following
payments  to the extent not paid by  PLC Capital (the "Guarantee Payments") will
be subject  to the  Guarantee  (without duplication):  (i) any  accumulated  and
unpaid  dividends that have been theretofore  declared on the Series A Preferred
Securities out of funds held by PLC Capital and legally available therefor; (ii)
the redemption price (including all accumulated and unpaid dividends whether  or
not  declared) payable, out of  funds held by PLC  Capital and legally available
therefor,  with  respect  to  any  Series  A  Preferred  Securities  called  for
redemption  by  PLC  Capital;  and  (iii)  in  the  event  of  any  dissolution,
liquidation or winding-up of PLC Capital, the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the
liquidation preference  and all  accrued and  unpaid dividends  (whether or  not
declared)  to the date of payment and (b)  the amount of remaining assets of PLC
Capital legally  available  to holders  of  Series A  Preferred  Securities.  In
addition, Protective Life will unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee, in the
event of any exchange by PLC Capital of Series A Preferred Securities for Series
A  Subordinated Debentures  as described  herein, the  delivery of  a registered
global certificate or certificates  representing the proper  amount of Series  A
Subordinated  Debentures to DTC or  such other entity or  person as shall at the
date of exchange be acting as  securities depository for the Series A  Preferred
Securities.  Protective Life's  obligation to  make a  Guarantee Payment  may be
satisfied by direct payment  of the required amounts  by Protective Life to  the
holders  of Series A Preferred Securities or  by causing PLC Capital to pay such
amounts to such holders.
 
    The Guarantee is not a guarantee  that any particular dividend or amount  on
dissolution,  liquidation or winding  up will be paid;  rather, the Guarantee is
solely a guarantee of payment  of dividends, if any,  that are in fact  declared
out of funds legally available therefor, of the redemption price payable, out of
funds  held by PLC  Capital and legally  available therefor, with  regard to any
Series A  Preferred Securities  called  for redemption  by  PLC Capital  and  of
amounts, if any, available for distribution to the holders of Series A Preferred
Securities upon dissolution, liquidation or winding-up after satisfaction of all
creditors of PLC Capital.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF PROTECTIVE LIFE
    In  the Guarantee, Protective Life will covenant that, so long as any Series
A Preferred  Securities remain  outstanding, neither  Protective Life,  nor  any
majority-owned  subsidiary of Protective Life, shall declare or pay any dividend
on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect  to,
any  of its  capital stock or  make any  guarantee payments with  respect to the
foregoing (other than (i) payments under the Guarantee or any other guarantee of
any other series of  Preferred Securities ranking PARI  PASSU with the Series  A
Preferred    Securities,    (ii)    dividends   or    guarantee    payments   to
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>
Protective  Life or (iii) redemptions or purchases pursuant to Protective Life's
Share Purchase  Rights Plan  described under  "Description of  Capital Stock  of
Protective  Life -- Junior Preferred Stock"  in the Prospectus, or any successor
to such Plan) if at such time (x) Protective Life shall have extended the period
to the next interest payment date under the Series A Subordinated Debentures, or
shall be in default with respect to  its payment or other obligations under  the
Guarantee,  (y) there shall  have occurred any  Event of Default  or event that,
with the giving  of notice or  the lapse of  time or both,  would constitute  an
Event  of Default under the Subordinated Indenture  or (z) there shall exist any
arrearage in the  payment of  accumulated dividends  on the  Series A  Preferred
Securities.
 
    Pursuant  to  the  Guarantee,  Protective Life  will  agree,  to  the extent
permitted by  law,  that, so  long  as any  Series  A Preferred  Securities  are
outstanding, (i) it shall maintain ownership, directly or indirectly, of 100% of
the  Common Securities,  (ii) it  shall not  voluntarily dissolve,  liquidate or
wind-up PLC  Capital, or  permit  PLC Capital  to  be dissolved,  liquidated  or
wound-up,  and (iii) it shall timely perform  all of its respective duties under
the L.L.C. Agreement.
 
AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT
 
    Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the  rights
of  holders of  Series A  Preferred Securities  (in which  case no  vote will be
required), the Guarantee  may be  changed only with  the prior  approval of  the
holders  of not  less than  66 2/3%  in liquidation  preference of  the Series A
Preferred Securities by agreement in writing or present in person or by proxy at
a separate general  meeting and  voting as a  single class.  All guarantees  and
agreements  contained  in  the  Guarantee shall  bind  the  successors, assigns,
receivers, trustees and representatives  of Protective Life  and shall inure  to
the  benefit of the holders of the Series A Preferred Securities. The quorum for
any such meeting  and the  determination of  the Series  A Preferred  Securities
entitled  to vote  are set  forth under "Description  of the  Series A Preferred
Securities -- Voting Rights" above.
 
TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEE
 
    The Guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon full
payment of the Redemption Price (including all accumulated arrears and  accruals
of  unpaid dividends) of all Series A Preferred Securities, upon full payment of
the amounts payable  upon liquidation  of PLC Capital  or upon  exchange of  all
Series  A Preferred Securities for Series A Subordinated Debentures as described
above. The Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the
case may be, if at any time any holder of the Series A Preferred Securities must
restore payment of any sums paid under the Series A Preferred Securities or  the
Guarantee.
 
STATUS OF THE GUARANTEE
 
    The Guarantee will rank PARI PASSU with the Series A Subordinated Debentures
and,  accordingly, will  be subordinate  and junior in  right of  payment to all
Senior Indebtedness as such term is  defined in the Subordinated Indenture.  See
"Description  of Debt Securities  of Protective Life  -- Subordination under the
Subordinated Indenture" in the accompanying Prospectus.
 
    The Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of  collection.
A  holder of  Series A Preferred  Securities may enforce  the Guarantee directly
against Protective Life, and Protective Life  will waive any right or remedy  to
require  that any action be  brought against PLC Capital  or any other person or
entity before  proceeding against  Protective Life.  The Guarantee  will not  be
discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full to the extent not
paid  by PLC Capital  and by complete  performance of all  obligations under the
Guarantee.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
    The Guarantee will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws  of
the State of New York.
 
              DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES A SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
    Set  forth below  is a  summary of  the terms  of the  Series A Subordinated
Debentures that will evidence the loans to be made by PLC Capital to  Protective
Life of the proceeds of (i) the Series A
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>
   
Preferred  Securities  and  (ii)  the  Common  Securities  and  related  capital
contributions ("Common Securities Payments").  Series A Subordinated  Debentures
will  be issued  under the  subordinated indenture,  dated as  of June  1, 1994,
between Protective Life and  AmSouth Bank, N.A.,  as Trustee (the  "Subordinated
Indenture").  See "Description  of Debt  Securities of  Protective Life"  in the
accompanying Prospectus and the description below for a summary of the  material
terms of the Subordinated Indenture. The summary set forth below and the summary
of  the  terms  of the  Subordinated  Indenture in  the  accompanying Prospectus
together address the material terms of the Series A Subordinated Debentures  and
the  Subordinated Indenture but are subject  to, and qualified in their entirety
by reference  to, the  text of  the  Series A  Subordinated Debentures  and  the
Subordinated  Indenture,  forms of  which  have been  filed  as exhibits  to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus Supplement forms a part.
    
 
GENERAL
 
   
    Pursuant to the Subordinated Indenture, Protective Life will issue Series  A
Subordinated  Debentures  to PLC  Capital in  an  aggregate principal  amount of
$69,620,275, such amount being the sum  of (i) the aggregate stated  liquidation
preference  of the Series A Preferred Securities  issued and sold by PLC Capital
and (ii) the Common Securities Payments.
    
 
   
    The entire principal amount  of the Series  A Subordinated Debentures  shall
become  due and payable (together with  any accrued and unpaid interest thereon)
on June 30, 2024  (the "Maturity Date"), subject  to relending under  conditions
described  under  "Terms  of  the Series  A  Preferred  Securities  -- Mandatory
Redemption upon Repayment of Series A Subordinated Debentures at Maturity." Upon
exchange of  the  Series  A  Preferred  Securities  for  Series  A  Subordinated
Debentures,  (i) the Series A Subordinated  Debentures will no longer be subject
to mandatory prepayment upon the  dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of  PLC
Capital,  (ii) the Series  A Subordinated Debentures  will not be  subject to an
election by Protective Life to exchange Series A Subordinated Debentures for new
debentures or to repay  the Series A Subordinated  Debentures and re-borrow  the
proceeds from such repayment, (iii) Protective Life will use its best efforts to
have  the Series A Subordinated Debentures listed  on the same exchange on which
the Series A Preferred Securities are listed and (iv) the Subordinated Indenture
or Series A Subordinated Debentures may, thereafter, be modified or amended with
the consent  of not  less than  66  2/3% in  principal amount  of the  Series  A
Subordinated Debentures at the time outstanding, PROVIDED, however, that no such
modification  or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each Series
A Subordinated Debenture affected thereby, (a) extend the stated maturity of the
principal of any Series A Subordinated Debenture, or reduce the principal amount
thereof or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or
reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof or change the currency in  which
the  principal thereof  or interest  thereon is payable  or impair  the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of  any payment on any Series A  Subordinated
Debenture  when due  or (b)  reduce the aforesaid  principal amount  of Series A
Subordinated Debentures the consent of the holders of which is required for  any
such modification.
    
 
MANDATORY PREPAYMENT
 
    If  PLC  Capital  redeems Series  A  Preferred  Securities in  cash  for the
Redemption Price in accordance with the terms thereof, the Series A Subordinated
Debentures will  become due  and payable  in  a principal  amount equal  to  the
aggregate  stated liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Securities so
redeemed (together with accrued interest on such principal amount to the date of
redemption). Any payment pursuant to this provision shall be made prior to 12:00
noon, New York time,  on the date of  such redemption or at  such other time  on
such earlier date as PLC Capital and Protective Life shall agree.
 
OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT
 
   
    Protective  Life shall  have the right  to prepay the  Series A Subordinated
Debentures, without premium or penalty, in  whole or in part (together with  any
accrued but unpaid interest) at any time on or after June 30, 1999.
    
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>
INTEREST
 
   
    The  Series A Subordinated Debentures shall  bear interest at an annual rate
of 9% from June 9,  1994 until maturity. Such interest  shall be payable on  the
last day of each calendar month of each year, commencing June 30, 1994. Interest
will  be computed on the  basis of twelve 30-day months  and a 360-day year and,
for any interest  period that is  shorter than  a full calendar  month, will  be
calculated  on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in such period. If
any date on which interest is payable on the Series A Subordinated Debentures is
not a Business Day, then payment of the interest due on such date may be made on
the next succeeding Business Day (and  without any interest or other payment  in
respect  of any such  delay), except that, if  such Business Day  is in the next
succeeding calendar  year,  such  payment  shall  be  made  on  the  immediately
preceding  Business Day, in each case with the  same force and effect as if made
on such date; PROVIDED,  however, that Protective Life  shall have the right  at
any  time or times during  the term of the  Series A Subordinated Debentures, so
long as Protective  Life is not  in default in  the payment of  interest on  the
Series  A Subordinated Debentures, to extend  the interest payment period to the
next interest payment date by  a period (not to exceed  60 months from the  last
date  on which interest  was paid in full)  at the end  of which Protective Life
shall pay all interest then accrued  and unpaid (together with interest  thereon
at  the rate specified  for the Series  A Subordinated Debentures  to the extent
permitted by  applicable  law);  and  PROVIDED FURTHER  that,  during  any  such
extended  interest  period, or  at any  time  during which  there is  an uncured
Default or  Event  of  Default  under  the  Series  A  Subordinated  Debentures,
Protective  Life shall not pay any dividends on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or
make a liquidation payment with respect to,  any of its shares of capital  stock
or  make any guarantee  payments with respect  to the foregoing  (other than (a)
redemptions or purchases  pursuant to  Protective Life's  Share Purchase  Rights
Plan  described under "Description of Capital Stock of Protective Life -- Junior
Preferred Stock"  in the  Prospectus, or  any  successor to  such Plan  and  (b)
payments  under any guarantee of the Series  A Preferred Securities or any other
series of Preferred Securities  ranking PARI PASSU with  the Series A  Preferred
Securities).  Protective  Life shall  give PLC  Capital and  the holders  of the
Series A Preferred Securities not less than five Business Days' prior notice  of
its selection of such extended interest payment period.
    
 
METHOD AND DATE OF PAYMENT
 
    Each  payment by Protective Life  of principal and interest  on the Series A
Subordinated Debentures shall be made to PLC Capital in United States Dollars at
such place and to such account as may be designated by PLC Capital.
 
SET-OFF
 
    Notwithstanding anything to  the contrary in  the Subordinated Indenture  or
the  Series A Subordinated  Debentures, Protective Life shall  have the right to
set-off any payment it is otherwise required to make thereunder with and to  the
extent  Protective Life has theretofore made, or  is concurrently on the date of
such payment making, a payment under the Guarantee.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
    The Subordinated Indenture will provide that Protective Life and PLC Capital
covenant and  agree  that  each  of the  Series  A  Subordinated  Debentures  is
subordinate  and  junior  in right  of  payment  to all  Senior  Indebtedness as
provided in the Subordinated Indenture.  The Subordinated Indenture defines  the
term  "Senior Indebtedness" as  the principal, premium, if  any, and interest on
(i) all indebtedness of Protective Life, whether outstanding on the date of  the
Series  A Subordinated  Debentures or  thereafter created,  incurred or assumed,
which is for money borrowed, or evidenced by a note or similar instrument  given
in  connection  with  the acquisition  of  any business,  properties  or assets,
including securities, (ii) any indebtedness of others of the kinds described  in
the preceding clause (i) for the payment of which Protective Life is responsible
or  liable as guarantor or otherwise  and (iii) amendments, renewals, extensions
and refundings of any such indebtedness, unless in any instrument or instruments
evidencing or  securing such  indebtedness  or pursuant  to  which the  same  is
outstanding,  or in any  such amendment, renewal, extension  or refunding, it is
expressly provided that such indebtedness is not superior in right of payment to
the  Series   A  Subordinated   Debentures.   The  Senior   Indebtedness   shall
 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>
continue  to  be  Senior  Indebtedness  and  entitled  to  the  benefits  of the
subordination provisions irrespective of  any amendment, modification or  waiver
of  any term of  the Senior Indebtedness  or extension or  renewal of the Senior
Indebtedness. For a  more detailed description  of the subordination  provisions
set  forth in the Subordinated Indenture, see "Description of Debt Securities of
Protective Life  --  Subordination  under the  Subordinated  Indenture"  in  the
accompanying Prospectus.
 
COVENANTS
 
    In the Series A Subordinated Debentures, Protective Life will agree that, so
long  as the  Series A  Preferred Securities are  outstanding, (i)  it shall not
declare or  pay  any  dividend  on,  or redeem,  purchase,  acquire  or  make  a
liquidation  payment with  respect to,  any of  its capital  stock, or  make any
guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than (a) redemptions  or
purchases  pursuant to  Protective Life's  Share Purchase  Rights Plan described
under "Description  of Capital  Stock  of Protective  Life --  Junior  Preferred
Stock"  in the Prospectus, or any successor  to such Plan and (b) payments under
any guarantee  of the  Series A  Preferred  Securities or  any other  series  of
Preferred  Securities ranking PARI PASSU with the Series A Preferred Securities)
if at such time (x) there shall have  occurred any Event of Default or event  (a
"Default")  that, with the giving of notice or  the lapse of time or both, would
constitute an Event of Default or (y)  Protective Life shall be in default  with
respect  to its payment or other obligations under any guarantee of the Series A
Preferred Securities, (ii) it shall maintain ownership, directly or  indirectly,
of  all of the  Common Securities and (iii)  it shall timely  perform all of its
respective duties under the L.L.C. Agreement.
 
    Protective Life also will agree (i) that its obligations under the Series  A
Subordinated Debentures will also be for the benefit of the holders from time to
time  of the Series  A Preferred Securities  and that such  holders or a trustee
acting on  behalf of  such holders  will be  entitled to  enforce the  Series  A
Subordinated   Debentures  directly  against  Protective  Life  as  third  party
beneficiaries of  Protective  Life's obligations  thereunder,  and (ii)  not  to
consolidate  with  or merge  into  another entity  or  permit another  entity to
consolidate with or merge into it unless (a) at such time no default or Event of
Default has occurred  and is  continuing, or  would occur  as a  result of  such
merger  and (b)  Protective Life is  the survivor  of such merger  or the entity
formed by or resulting  from such merger shall  expressly assume payment of  the
principal  of and  premium, if  any, and interest  on the  Series A Subordinated
Debentures.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
    If an  Event  of Default  (as  defined  in the  Subordinated  Indenture  and
described  in the  accompanying Prospectus) shall  occur and  be continuing, PLC
Capital will have the right to declare the principal of and the interest on  the
Series A Subordinated Debentures (including any interest subject to an extension
of
the  interest payment  period) and  any other  amounts payable  on the  Series A
Subordinated Debentures to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Series  A
Subordinated Debentures and any other amounts payable in respect of the Series A
Subordinated  Debentures  under  the  Series A  Subordinated  Debentures  or the
Subordinated Indenture shall be forthwith  due and payable without  presentment,
demand,  protest or  other notice of  any kind, all  of which will  be waived by
Protective Life, and PLC Capital will have the right to enforce its other rights
as a defaulted creditor  with respect to the  Series A Subordinated  Debentures,
subject  to  the  subordination  provisions thereof.  See  "Description  of Debt
Securities of Protective Life -- Events of Default, Notice and Certain Rights on
Default" in  the  accompanying Prospectus.  Under  the  terms of  the  Series  A
Preferred  Securities, the holders of  outstanding Series A Preferred Securities
will have  the  rights  referred to  under  "Terms  of the  Series  A  Preferred
Securities  -- Voting Rights",  including the right to  appoint a trustee, which
trustee shall be authorized to exercise  PLC Capital's rights to accelerate  the
principal  amount of  the Series  A Subordinated  Debentures and  to enforce PLC
Capital's other rights under the  Series A Subordinated Debentures. Because  the
Series  A Subordinated  Debentures will  be for  the benefit  of the  holders of
Series A  Preferred Securities,  PLC Capital  will agree  that it  will  declare
principal  of  and interest  on  the Series  A  Subordinated Debentures  due and
payable in the event of an interest payment or covenant Event of Default if, and
only if,  so directed  by holders  of  25% or  more of  the Series  A  Preferred
Securities,  or  by  a trustee  appointed  by such  holders  as a  result  of an
arrearage in dividend payments on the Series A Preferred Securities.
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>
MISCELLANEOUS
 
    Protective Life shall  have the  right at  all times  to assign  any of  its
rights  or obligations under the Series A Subordinated Debentures to a direct or
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in
the event  of any  such assignment,  Protective Life  shall remain  jointly  and
severally liable for all such obligations. PLC Capital may not assign any of its
rights under the Series A Subordinated Debentures, other than in connection with
a  merger or  consolidation or  sale of assets  or exchange  permitted under the
terms of the Series A Preferred Securities. Subject to the foregoing, the Series
A Subordinated Debentures  shall be  binding upon and  inure to  the benefit  of
Protective Life and PLC Capital and their respective successors and assigns. Any
assignment by Protective Life or PLC Capital in contravention of such provisions
will be null and void.
 
    The  Series A Subordinated Debentures and the Subordinated Indenture will be
governed by and construed in accordance with  the internal laws of the State  of
New York.
 
    The Series A Subordinated Debentures may be amended by mutual consent of the
parties  in the manner the parties shall agree; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, so long
as any  of  the  Series  A Preferred  Securities  remain  outstanding,  no  such
amendment  shall be  made that  adversely affects  the holders  of the  Series A
Preferred Securities, no  termination of  the Series  A Subordinated  Debentures
shall  occur, and no Event of Default  or compliance with any covenant under the
Series A Subordinated Debentures may be waived by PLC Capital, without the prior
approval of the holders  of at least  66 2/3% in  liquidation preference of  all
Series  A  Preferred  Securities  then  outstanding, in  writing  or  at  a duly
constituted meeting of such holders.
 
                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
    The following  is  a  summary  of  the  material  U.S.  federal  income  tax
considerations relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Series
A  Preferred  Securities  by a  beneficial  owner acquiring  Series  A Preferred
Securities on their original issue at the original offering price who is (i)  an
individual  citizen or a  resident of the  United States, (ii)  a corporation or
partnership created or organized in  or under the laws  of the United States  or
any  state  thereof or  the District  of Columbia  or (iii)  an estate  or trust
subject to United States federal income taxation without regard to the source of
its income (a "United States Person"). The statements of law or legal conclusion
set forth  in this  summary  constitute the  opinion  of Debevoise  &  Plimpton,
special  counsel  to Protective  Life  and PLC  Capital.  This summary  does not
address potential tax consequences  to a purchaser that  is not a United  States
Person.  Neither  PLC  Capital  nor  Protective  Life  is  required  to  pay any
additional amounts  with  respect to  payments  of  dividends on  the  Series  A
Preferred Securities if any withholding or similar taxes are imposed on any such
dividends;  accordingly, any such  taxes would reduce the  amounts that would be
received by any beneficial owner that is not a United States Person. PROSPECTIVE
PURCHASERS OF  THE SERIES  A PREFERRED  SECURITIES THAT  ARE NOT  UNITED  STATES
PERSONS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS.
 
    This summary does not purport to address all potential tax consequences that
may be applicable to a beneficial owner of a Series A Preferred Security, and is
not  intended to be wholly applicable  to all categories of investors (including
insurance companies, banks, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities  and
persons  acquiring Series A  Preferred Securities as  a straddle or  hedge or as
part of a "conversion transaction") or persons whose functional currency is  not
the  United  States dollar.  This  discussion is  based  upon the  United States
Internal Revenue Code  of 1986,  as amended (the  "Code"), Treasury  Regulations
(including  proposed Treasury Regulations), Internal Revenue Service rulings and
pronouncements and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to
change at any time. Such changes may  be applied retroactively in a manner  that
could  cause  tax  consequences  to  vary  substantially  from  the consequences
described below, possibly adversely affecting a  beneficial owner of a Series  A
Preferred Security. These authorities are subject to various interpretations and
it  is therefore possible that the federal  income tax treatment of the Series A
Preferred Securities may differ from the treatment described below.
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>
    PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS  OF  SERIES A  PREFERRED  SECURITIES ARE  ADVISED  TO
CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS IN LIGHT OF THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS
TO  THE FEDERAL TAX  CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE,  OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF
SERIES A PREFERRED  SECURITIES, AS WELL  AS THE  EFFECT OF ANY  STATE, LOCAL  OR
FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
 
INCOME FROM SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
    PLC  Capital  will  be  treated  as a  partnership  for  federal  income tax
purposes.  Each  beneficial  owner   of  a  Series   A  Preferred  Security   (a
"Securityholder")  will be required to include  in gross income its distributive
share of PLC Capital's net income. PLC Capital anticipates that such income will
generally not exceed dividends received on a Series A Preferred Security, except
in limited circumstances as described  under "-- Potential Extension of  Payment
Period"   and  "--   Information  Returns."   Any  amount   so  included   in  a
Securityholder's gross  income will  increase  its tax  basis  in the  Series  A
Preferred  Securities, and  the amount of  cash dividends  to the Securityholder
will reduce its tax basis  in the Series A  Preferred Securities. No portion  of
such income will be eligible for the dividends received deduction.
 
    PLC  Capital does not presently intend to make an election under section 754
of the Code. In the  event no such election is  made, a subsequent purchaser  of
Series  A Preferred Securities may not be permitted to adjust its taxable income
from PLC Capital to  reflect any difference between  its purchase price for  the
Series  A Preferred  Securities and  PLC Capital's  underlying tax  basis in its
assets.
 
SALE OR REDEMPTION OF SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
    Gain or loss will be recognized on  a sale of Series A Preferred  Securities
(including  a distribution  of cash in  redemption of all  of a Securityholder's
Series A  Preferred  Securities) equal  to  the difference  between  the  amount
realized  and  the  Securityholder's  tax  basis  for  the  Series  A  Preferred
Securities sold or so redeemed. Gain  or loss recognized by a Securityholder  on
the  sale or exchange  of a Series A  Preferred Security held  for more than one
year will generally be taxable as long-term capital gain or loss. See  "--Market
Discount and Premium" below.
 
POTENTIAL EXTENSION OF PAYMENT PERIOD
 
    Under the terms of the Series A Subordinated Debentures, Protective Life may
be  permitted to extend the  interest payment period to up  to 60 months. In the
event that Protective Life exercises this right, Protective Life may not,  among
other  things, declare dividends on any share  of its preferred or common stock.
In the event that the payment period  is extended, PLC Capital will continue  to
accrue  income equal to the amount of the interest payment due at the end of the
extended payment period, based  on a constant yield  method, over the length  of
the extended payment period.
 
    Accrued   income  for  any  month  will  be  allocated  by  PLC  Capital  to
Securityholders of record on  the record date for  dividends in respect of  such
month  (whether or not  dividends are actually  paid). Securityholders of record
during an  extended  interest payment  period  should include  in  gross  income
amounts in respect of interest so allocated to them in advance of the receipt of
cash.  The tax basis of  a Series A Preferred Security  will be increased by any
such amounts that are included in income without a receipt of cash, and will  be
decreased when such cash is subsequently received from PLC Capital.
 
EXCHANGE OF SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES FOR SERIES A SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
    Upon  the occurrence of an  Investment Company Act Event  or a Tax Event, as
described under "Description of  the Series A  Preferred Securities --  Optional
Redemption," PLC Capital may distribute the Series A Subordinated Debentures (or
beneficial  interests therein) in exchange for, and liquidation of, the Series A
Preferred Securities. Prior to any exchange following an Investment Company  Act
Event,  PLC Capital is  required to obtain an  opinion of independent nationally
recognized tax counsel experienced in such  matters to the effect that a  holder
of  Series A Preferred  Securities will not  recognize gain or  loss for federal
income tax  purposes  as a  result  of such  exchange.  If the  exchange  occurs
following  a Tax Event that  relates to the deductibility  by Protective Life of
interest payable on the Series A Subordinated Debentures and PLC Capital has not
become subject  to Federal  income tax,  such  exchange would  be treated  as  a
non-taxable  exchange  to  a  Securityholder.  In  the  event  of  a non-taxable
exchange, such
 
                                      S-27
<PAGE>
Securityholder would have an  aggregate tax basis in  the Series A  Subordinated
Debentures  received equal to  such Securityholder's aggregate  tax basis in its
Series A Preferred Securities. A Securityholder's holding period for the  Series
A  Subordinated Debentures  so received  will include  the period  for which the
Series A Preferred Securities were held  by such Securityholder. If a Tax  Event
has  occurred and  PLC Capital  has become  subject to  federal income  tax with
respect to  interest  received on  the  Series A  Subordinated  Debentures,  the
exchange  will be taxable to  a Securityholder, who will  recognize gain or loss
measured by the difference between such  Securityholder's basis in its Series  A
Preferred  Securities  and the  value of  the  Series A  Subordinated Debentures
received in  exchange  therefor.  In  such  a case,  the  holding  period  of  a
Securityholder for the Series A Subordinated Debentures received in the exchange
will  not include  the period  in which the  Series A  Preferred Securities were
held.
 
    After  any  exchange  of  Series   A  Preferred  Securities  for  Series   A
Subordinated  Debentures,  holders  of  the  Series  A  Subordinated  Debentures
(including those  otherwise using  a  cash basis  method of  accounting)  should
include  interest  on  the Series  A  Subordinated  Debentures in  income  as it
accrues, based on  a constant yield  method, before the  receipt of payments  of
interest,  including  in circumstances  where Protective  Life has  extended the
interest payment  period.  See "--Potential  Extension  of Payment  Period".  If
issuance  costs of  the Series  A Subordinated  Debentures are  determined to be
expenses of PLC Capital, the issue price of the Series A Subordinated Debentures
could be treated  as being  less than the  stated principal  amount thereof,  in
which  case  the amount  of  interest that  a  holder of  Series  A Subordinated
Debentures would be  required to include  in income could  exceed the amount  of
stated  interest thereon. Such  holder's tax basis in  the Series A Subordinated
Debentures will be increased by  accrued interest previously included in  income
by such holder and reduced by the payment of such interest. Gain or loss will be
recognized  on  the  sale,  exchange  or  retirement  of  Series  A Subordinated
Debentures equal to the difference between the amount realized and such holder's
tax basis in the  Series A Subordinated Debentures  sold, exchanged or  retired.
Gain  or loss  recognized by  a holder  on the  sale, exchange  or retirement of
Series A Subordinated Debentures held for  more than one year will generally  be
taxable as long-term capital gain or loss. See "--Market Discount and Premium".
 
MARKET DISCOUNT AND PREMIUM
 
    If  a Securityholder receives  Series A Subordinated  Debentures in exchange
for Series A  Preferred Securities in  a transaction  in which gain  or loss  is
recognized  (see  "-- Exchange  of Series  A Preferred  Securities for  Series A
Subordinated Debentures"), such holder may  have market discount or  acquisition
premium  with respect to  the Series A  Subordinated Debentures. Securityholders
(other than  initial purchasers  who acquire  Series A  Preferred Securities  at
their  original offering  price) may  be considered  to have  market discount or
acquisition premium under certain circumstances and are advised to consult their
own tax advisors.
 
INFORMATION RETURNS
 
    The Managing Member  will furnish  each Securityholder with  a Schedule  K-1
setting  forth such  Securityholder's allocable share  of income  within 90 days
after the close of  PLC Capital's taxable year.  In preparing this  information,
the  Managing Member  will use various  accounting and  reporting conventions to
determine a  Securityholder's  allocable  share of  income.  See  "--  Potential
Extension  of Payment Period". If  such conventions were successfully challenged
by the Internal Revenue Service, the distributive share of PLC Capital's  income
allocable  to Series A Preferred Securities in  respect of a month in which such
Series A Preferred Securities are sold  may be allocated between the seller  and
purchaser  on some other  basis. Any amount so  allocated to the Securityholder,
whether as  seller or  purchaser, would  be includible  in the  Securityholder's
income  and  would  increase the  Securityholder's  tax  basis in  its  Series A
Preferred Securities.
 
    Any person who holds Series A Preferred Securities as a nominee for  another
person  is required to furnish to PLC Capital (a) the name, address and taxpayer
identification number of the beneficial owner  and the nominee; (b) whether  the
beneficial  owner is  (i) a person  that is not  a United States  Person, (ii) a
foreign government, an international organization or any wholly-owned agency  or
instrumentality  of either of  the foregoing, or (iii)  a tax-exempt entity; (c)
the amount and description of Series A Preferred
 
                                      S-28
<PAGE>
Securities held,  acquired or  transferred  for the  beneficial owner;  and  (d)
certain  information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of
acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost  for purchases, as well as  the
amount  of  net  proceeds from  sales.  Brokers and  financial  institutions are
required to furnish additional information, including whether they are a  United
States  Person and  certain information  on Series  A Preferred  Securities they
acquire, hold or transfer for  their own account. A  penalty of $50 per  failure
(up  to a  maximum of  $100,000 per calendar  year) is  imposed by  the Code for
failure to report such  information to PLC Capital.  The nominee is required  to
supply  the  beneficial owner  of  the Series  A  Preferred Securities  with the
information furnished to PLC Capital.
 
                                 ERISA MATTERS
 
    PLC Capital,  Protective  Life  and  other  affiliates  of  PLC  Capital  or
Protective Life may each be considered a "party in interest" (within the meaning
of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) or
a  "disqualified person" (within the  meaning of Section 4975  of the Code) with
respect to many employee benefit plans ("Plans") that are subject to ERISA.  The
purchase   and/or  holding  of  Series  A   Preferred  Securities  or  Series  A
Subordinated  Debentures  by   a  Plan   that  is  subject   to  the   fiduciary
responsibility  provisions of ERISA or  the prohibited transaction provisions of
Section 4975 of the Code (including individual retirement arrangements and other
plans described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code) and with respect to which PLC
Capital, Protective Life  or any other  affiliate of PLC  Capital or  Protective
Life  is  a  service  provider  (or  otherwise  is  a  party  in  interest  or a
disqualified person) may constitute or result in a prohibited transaction  under
ERISA  or Section 4975 of the Code, unless such Series A Preferred Securities or
Series A Subordinated  Debentures, are  acquired pursuant to  and in  accordance
with  an applicable  exemption, such  as Prohibited  Transaction Class Exemption
("PTCE")  84-14  (an  exemption  for  certain  transactions  determined  by   an
independent  qualified professional asset manager), PTCE 91-38 (an exemption for
certain transactions involving  bank collective investment  funds) or PTCE  90-1
(an  exemption  for  certain  transactions  involving  insurance  company pooled
separate accounts).  Any pension  or other  employee benefit  plan proposing  to
acquire any Series A Preferred Securities should consult with its counsel.
 
                                      S-29
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement,
PLC Capital has agreed to sell to each of the Underwriters named below, and each
of  the Underwriters, for whom Goldman, Sachs  & Co., Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.,
Kidder, Peabody & Co. Incorporated and The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc.  (the
"Representatives")  are  acting  as  representatives,  has  severally  agreed to
purchase  from  PLC  Capital,  the  respective  number  of  Series  A  Preferred
Securities set forth opposite its name below.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         NUMBER OF
                                                                                          SERIES A
                                   UNDERWRITERS                                     PREFERRED SECURITIES
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co...............................................................           390,000
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc..........................................................           390,000
Kidder, Peabody & Co. Incorporated................................................           390,000
The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc................................................           390,000
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc..........................................................            85,000
Lehman Brothers Inc...............................................................            85,000
PaineWebber Incorporated..........................................................            85,000
Prudential Securities Incorporated................................................            85,000
Advest, Inc.......................................................................            25,000
J.C. Bradford & Co................................................................            25,000
Cowen & Company...................................................................            25,000
J.J.B. Hilliard W. L. Lyons, Inc..................................................            25,000
Interstate/Johnson Lane Corporation...............................................            25,000
Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated..............................................            25,000
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc......................................................            25,000
Piper Jaffray Inc.................................................................            25,000
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc......................................................            25,000
Raymond James & Associates, Inc...................................................            25,000
Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc.........................................................            25,000
Wheat, First Securities, Inc......................................................            25,000
                                                                                          ----------
        Total.....................................................................         2,200,000
                                                                                          ----------
                                                                                          ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
    Under   the  terms  and  conditions   of  the  Underwriting  Agreement,  the
Underwriters are  committed to  take and  pay  for all  the Series  A  Preferred
Securities offered hereby, if any are taken.
 
   
    The  Underwriters propose to offer the Series A Preferred Securities in part
directly to the public  at the initial  public offering price  set forth on  the
cover  page of  this Prospectus  Supplement, and  in part  to certain securities
dealers at such price less a concession of $.50 per Series A Preferred Security,
except that such concession will be $.30 per Series A Preferred Security sold to
certain institutions. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may  reallow,
a  concession not in excess  of $.25 per Series  A Preferred Security to certain
brokers and dealers. After  the Series A Preferred  Securities are released  for
sale  to the public, the public offering  price and other selling terms may from
time to time be varied by the Representatives.
    
 
   
    In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the Series A  Preferred
Securities  will  be loaned  to Protective  Life,  pursuant to  the Underwriting
Agreement Protective Life has agreed to pay to the Underwriters, as compensation
for their services, an amount equal  to $.7875 per Series A Preferred  Security,
except  that such compensation will be $.50 per Series A Preferred Security sold
to certain institutions.
    
 
                                      S-30
<PAGE>
    Certain of  the Underwriters  are customers  of, or  engage in  transactions
with, and from time to time have performed services for, Protective Life and its
subsidiaries and associated companies in the ordinary course of business.
 
    Prior  to this offering, there has been no market for the Series A Preferred
Securities. The Series A Preferred Securities have been approved for listing  on
the  NYSE, subject to official  notice of issuance. In order  to meet one of the
requirements for listing  the Series  A Preferred  Securities on  the NYSE,  the
Underwriters  have undertaken to sell Series A Preferred Securities to a minimum
of 400 beneficial holders.
 
    PLC Capital and Protective  Life have agreed  to indemnify the  Underwriters
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
    Tax  matters described under "Certain  Federal Income Tax Considerations" in
this Prospectus Supplement  have been passed  upon by Debevoise  & Plimpton.  In
rendering  its  opinion, Debevoise  &  Plimpton has  relied  upon an  opinion of
Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. as to certain matters of Delaware law.
 
                                      S-31
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
                               U.S. $175,000,000
                          PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                                PREFERRED STOCK
 
                               PLC CAPITAL L.L.C.
 
            CUMULATIVE MONTHLY INCOME PREFERRED SECURITIES ("MIPS"*)
                  GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH HEREIN BY
                          PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
                                ---------------
 
    Protective Life Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Protective Life"), may
from time to time offer (a) its debt securities, consisting of debentures, notes
and/or  other evidences  of indebtedness  representing unsecured  obligations of
Protective Life (the "Debt Securities"), and (b) shares of preferred stock,  par
value  $1.00 per share ("Preferred  Stock"), in each case  in one or more series
and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of offering.
 
    PLC Capital L.L.C., a limited liability company formed under the laws of the
State of Delaware ("PLC Capital"), may from  time to time offer, in one or  more
series,  its  Cumulative  Monthly Income  Preferred  Securities  (the "Preferred
Securities") representing preferred limited  liability company interests in  PLC
Capital.  PLC Capital  was formed by  Protective Life solely  to issue Preferred
Securities and common limited liability company interests ("Common  Securities")
and  loan the proceeds thereof to  Protective Life. Accordingly, the proceeds of
an offering of  Preferred Securities,  together with  all capital  contributions
made  in respect  of Common  Securities, will  be loaned  to Protective  Life in
exchange for  subordinated Debt  Securities  of Protective  Life  ("Subordinated
Debentures")  having the terms described herein. Interest and principal payments
on the Subordinated  Debentures are  intended to  fund the  payment of  periodic
distributions  ("dividends") and redemption and liquidation distributions on the
Preferred Securities and the  Common Securities. The  payment of dividends  (but
only if and to the extent declared out of moneys held by PLC Capital and legally
available  therefor), and payments on liquidation (but only to the extent of the
remaining assets of PLC Capital) or redemption at the option of PLC Capital with
respect to  the  Preferred  Securities  will be  guaranteed  by  a  subordinated
guarantee  (the "Guarantee") of Protective Life  to the extent set forth herein.
See "PLC  Capital  L.L.C."  and  "Description  of  Certain  Contractual  Back-Up
Obligations  of Protective  Life" for a  description of  the various contractual
backup obligations of Protective Life.
 
    Specific terms  of  the  particular Debt  Securities,  Preferred  Stock  and
Preferred Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (the
"Offered Securities") will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement
(the "Prospectus Supplement"), which will describe, without limitation and where
applicable,  the following:  (x) in  the case  of Debt  Securities, the specific
designation, aggregate  principal amount,  denomination, maturity,  premium,  if
any,  interest rate (which  may be fixed  or variable) or  method of calculating
interest, if  any,  place  or  places where  principal,  premium,  if  any,  and
interest, if any, will be payable, currency in which principal, premium, if any,
and interest, if any, will be payable, any terms of redemption, any sinking fund
provisions,  any listing on  a securities exchange and  other special terms, and
(y) in  the case  of  Preferred Stock  and  Preferred Securities,  the  specific
designation,  stated value and liquidation preference  per share or security and
number of shares  or securities offered,  dividend rate (which  may be fixed  or
variable)  or method of  calculating dividends, place  or places where dividends
will be payable, any terms of  redemption, any listing on a securities  exchange
and other special terms.
 
    The  offering price to the public of  the Offered Securities will be limited
to U.S.  $175,000,000  in  the  aggregate  (or  its  equivalent  (based  on  the
applicable  exchange  rate at  the  time of  issue),  if Offered  Securities are
offered for  consideration denominated  in  one or  more foreign  currencies  or
currency  units as shall be designated  by Protective Life). The Debt Securities
may be denominated in United States dollars or, at the option of Protective Life
if so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in one or more  foreign
currencies  or currency units.  The Debt Securities may  be issued in registered
form or  bearer form,  or both.  If so  specified in  the applicable  Prospectus
Supplement, Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more temporary or permanent global securities.
 
    The  Offered  Securities may  be sold  to  or through  underwriters, through
dealers or agents  or directly to  purchasers. See "Plan  of Distribution".  The
names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the Offered
Securities  in  respect of  which  this Prospectus  is  being delivered  and any
applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them will be set  forth
in a Prospectus Supplement.
 
    This  Prospectus may not  be used to consummate  sales of offered securities
unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
 
                           --------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
  EXCHANGE   COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS  THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION
       PASSED  UPON  THE ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS. ANY
               REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
- - - --------------------------
*An application has been filed  by Goldman, Sachs &  Co. with the United  States
 Patent and Trademark Office for the registration of the MIPS servicemark.
 
   
                  The date of this Prospectus is June 2, 1994.
    
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    Protective  Life  is  subject  to  the  informational  requirements  of  the
Securities Exchange  Act  of 1934,  as  amended  (the "Exchange  Act"),  and  in
accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the  Securities and Exchange Commission  (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and  other information  can be  inspected and  copied at  the  public
reference  facilities of  the Commission at  Room 1024, 450  Fifth Street, N.W.,
Judiciary Plaza,  Washington, D.C.  20549 and  at the  regional offices  of  the
Commission  located at 7 World  Trade Center, 13th Floor,  Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048 and Suite 1400, Northwestern Atrium Center, 14th Floor, 500  West
Madison  Street, Chicago,  Illinois 60661. Copies  of such material  can also be
obtained at prescribed rates by writing  to the Public Reference Section of  the
Commission  at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,  Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549.
In addition, such  reports, proxy  statements and  other information  concerning
Protective  Life can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
    This Prospectus constitutes a part of  a registration statement on Form  S-3
(together  with all amendments and exhibits, the "Registration Statement") filed
by Protective Life and PLC Capital with the Commission under the Securities  Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This Prospectus does not contain all
the  information set  forth in the  Registration Statement,  certain portions of
which have  been  omitted as  permitted  by the  rules  and regulations  of  the
Commission. For further information with respect to Protective Life, PLC Capital
and the Offered Securities, reference is made to the Registration Statement. The
Registration  Statement  may  be  inspected  by  anyone  without  charge  at the
principal office of the Commission in Washington, D.C. and copies of all or part
of it may be obtained from the Commission upon payment of the prescribed fees.
 
    No separate financial statements of  PLC Capital have been included  herein.
Protective  Life and PLC Capital do  not consider that such financial statements
would be material to holders of the Preferred Securities because PLC Capital  is
a  newly  organized special  purpose  entity, has  no  operating history  and no
independent operations and is not engaged in, and does not propose to engage in,
any activity other than the issuance of the Preferred Securities and the  Common
Securities  and  the lending  of  the net  proceeds  thereof to  Protective Life
pursuant to loans to be evidenced  by Subordinated Debentures. See "PLC  Capital
L.L.C".  PLC Capital is a limited liability company formed under the laws of the
State of Delaware and will be managed  by Protective Life, in its capacity as  a
holder of Common Securities.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
    Protective  Life's Quarterly Report on Form  10-Q for the three month period
ended March 31, 1994, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1993, its Form 10-K/A (amending its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the  year
ended  December 31, 1993) dated May 19, 1994  and its Current Report on Form 8-K
dated August 4, 1993, as filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange  Act
(file no. 0-9924), are incorporated herein by reference.
 
    Each  document or report  subsequently filed by  Protective Life pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof  and
prior  to the termination of the offering described herein shall be deemed to be
incorporated by  reference  into  this Prospectus  and  to  be a  part  of  this
Prospectus  from the  date of filing  of such document.  Any statement contained
herein, or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed  to
be  incorporated  by  reference  herein,  shall  be  deemed  to  be  modified or
superseded for purposes of the Registration Statement and this Prospectus to the
extent that a  statement contained  herein or  in any  other subsequently  filed
document  which also  is or  is deemed  to be  incorporated by  reference herein
modifies or  supersedes  such  statement.  Any such  statement  so  modified  or
superseded  shall  not  be  deemed,  except as  so  modified  or  superseded, to
constitute a part of the Registration Statement or this Prospectus.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    Protective Life  will provide  without charge  to any  person to  whom  this
Prospectus  is delivered, on the written or  oral request of such person, a copy
of any or all of the  foregoing documents incorporated by reference, other  than
certain  exhibits to such documents. Requests  should be directed to: Protective
Life Corporation, P.O.  Box 2606,  Birmingham, Alabama  35202 (telephone:  (205)
879-9230).
 
                          PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
 
    Protective  Life,  a  Delaware  corporation  incorporated  in  1981,  is  an
insurance holding company  that owns a  group of life  insurance companies  that
provide   financial   services   through   the   production,   distribution  and
administration of insurance and  investment products. Protective Life  Insurance
Company  ("Protective Life  Insurance"), founded  in 1907,  is Protective Life's
principal operating subsidiary.
 
    During 1993,  Protective Life  reported  revenues of  $760 million  and  net
income  of $57 million. During the three months ended March 31, 1994, Protective
Life reported revenues of $196 million and  net income of $17 million. At  March
31, 1994, Protective Life had total assets of $5.4 billion, stockholders' equity
of  $319 million and life insurance  inforce of $43.3 billion. Protective Life's
insurance subsidiaries generated approximately 94%  of its revenues in 1993  and
98%  of its revenues for the three  months ended March 31, 1994. Protective Life
Insurance is currently  rated A+ (Superior)  by A.M. Best  Company, Inc.  ("A.M.
Best").  A.M.  Best,  an  independent  insurance  industry  rating organization,
assigns fifteen  letter  ratings  to  insurance  companies,  ranging  from  "A++
(Superior)"  to  "C-  (Fair)."  A.M.  Best's ratings  are  based  on  factors of
relevance primarily to policyholders and are  not directed to the protection  of
investors,  such as holders of the Offered Securities. Such ratings do not apply
to the Offered Securities.
 
    Protective Life's principal  executive offices are  located at 2801  Highway
280  South,  Birmingham,  Alabama  35223,  and  its  telephone  number  is (205)
879-9230.
 
    Protective Life's  ability  to  pay  principal  and  interest  on  any  Debt
Securities,  Preferred  Stock  or  Subordinated Debentures  is  affected  by the
ability of  its  insurance  company subsidiaries,  Protective  Life's  principal
sources  of cash flow, to declare and  distribute dividends and to make payments
on surplus notes (i.e., deeply subordinated intercompany notes owed by insurance
company subsidiaries to Protective Life that  are treated as equity capital  for
statutory  accounting  purposes), both  of which  may  be limited  by regulatory
restrictions and, in the case of payments on surplus notes, by certain financial
covenants. Protective  Life's  cash flow  is  also dependent  on  revenues  from
investment,  data  processing, legal  and  management services  rendered  to its
subsidiaries. Insurance company subsidiaries of  Protective Life are subject  to
various  state statutory  and regulatory  restrictions, applicable  to insurance
companies generally, that limit the amount of cash dividends, loans and advances
that those subsidiaries may  pay to Protective  Life. Under Tennessee  insurance
laws,  Protective Life Insurance may generally  only pay dividends to Protective
Life out  of its  unassigned surplus  as reflected  in its  statutory  financial
statements  filed  in that  State. In  addition,  the Tennessee  Commissioner of
Insurance must approve (or not disapprove  within 30 days of notice) payment  of
an  "extraordinary"  dividend from  Protective  Life Insurance,  which generally
under Tennessee insurance  laws is a  dividend that exceeds,  together with  all
dividends  paid by Protective Life Insurance  within the previous 12 months, the
greater  of  (i)  10%  of   Protective  Life  Insurance's  surplus  as   regards
policyholders  at the preceding December 31 or (ii) the net gain from operations
of Protective Life Insurance for  the 12 months ended  on such December 31.  The
maximum  amount that would  qualify as ordinary dividends  to Protective Life by
its insurance subsidiaries in 1994 is estimated to be $57 million. No  assurance
can  be given that more stringent restrictions  will not be adopted from time to
time by states in which Protective Life's insurance subsidiaries are  domiciled,
which  restrictions  could  have  the effect,  under  certain  circumstances, of
significantly reducing dividends or other amounts payable to Protective Life  by
such   subsidiaries  without  affirmative  prior  approval  by  state  insurance
regulatory authorities.
 
    In the event of the insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution  or
other  winding-up  of a  subsidiary of  Protective Life,  all creditors  of such
subsidiary, including holders of  life and health  insurance policies, would  be
entitled  to  payment  in full  out  of  the assets  of  such  subsidiary before
Protective Life, as shareholder or holder of surplus notes, would be entitled to
any payment, and thus such
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
creditors would have to be paid in full before the creditors of Protective  Life
(including  holders  of Debt  Securities  or Subordinated  Debentures)  would be
entitled to receive any payment from the assets of such subsidiary.
 
                               PLC CAPITAL L.L.C.
 
    PLC Capital is  a limited  liability company formed  under the  laws of  the
State  of Delaware. PLC Capital's offices are located at 2801 Highway 280 South,
Birmingham, Alabama  35223 (Telephone:  (205) 879-9230).  Protective Life  owns,
directly  and indirectly,  all of  the Common  Securities of  PLC Capital, which
Common Securities are nontransferable. PLC Capital was formed by Protective Life
and its wholly-owned subsidiary solely to issue Common Securities and  Preferred
Securities  (collectively, the "Membership Securities") and to lend the proceeds
thereof to Protective Life in exchange for Subordinated Debentures. Interest and
principal payments on Subordinated Debentures  are intended to fund the  payment
of  dividends  and redemption  and liquidation  distributions on  the Membership
Securities. Accordingly, PLC Capital's  sole source of  cash flow is  Protective
Life,  and PLC Capital's ability to make  dividend and other payments in respect
of Preferred Securities will be dependent on interest and principal payments  by
Protective   Life  on   the  Subordinated   Debentures.  See   "Protective  Life
Corporation".
 
    PLC Capital will be managed by Protective Life, in its capacity as a  holder
of  Common  Securities (in  such capacity,  the  "Managing Member").  Holders of
Membership Securities in PLC  Capital are referred to  herein as "Members."  PLC
Capital's  Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the "L.L.C.
Agreement") provides that Protective Life, in its capacity as a holder of Common
Securities, shall be liable for all  obligations and liabilities of PLC  Capital
(including  tax obligations, but  excluding obligations in  respect of Preferred
Securities). Under Delaware law, members who hold Series A Preferred  Securities
(other  than Protective Life) will not be  liable for the debts, obligations and
liabilities of  PLC Capital,  whether arising  in contract,  tort or  otherwise,
solely  by reason of  being a member  of PLC Capital  (subject to any obligation
such members  may  have  to  repay  any funds  that  may  have  been  wrongfully
distributed to them).
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The  proceeds from the  sale of any Preferred  Securities (together with any
capital  contributed  in  respect  of  Common  Securities)  will  be  loaned  to
Protective  Life in exchange  for Subordinated Debentures.  Protective Life will
use borrowings from  PLC Capital, and  the net  proceeds from any  sale of  Debt
Securities  or Preferred Stock,  for general corporate  purposes, including, but
not  limited  to,  repayments  of   indebtedness  of  Protective  Life  or   its
subsidiaries. A more detailed description of the use of proceeds of any specific
offering  of Offered Securities shall be  set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
pertaining to such offering.
 
                RATIOS OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
    The following table sets forth Protective Life's ratios of earnings to fixed
charges:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        THREE
                                                                                                        MONTHS
                                                                                                        ENDED
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,     MARCH 31,
                                                                        ----------------------------  ----------
                                                                        1989  1990  1991  1992  1993  1993  1994
                                                                        ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----
<S>                                                                     <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed Charges (1)...................  25.3   8.2   9.7  13.5  14.4  13.9  13.4
Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Interest on Debt and Interest
 Credited on Investment Products (2)..................................   3.1   1.6   1.4   1.3   1.4   1.3   1.4
<FN>
- - - ------------------------
(1)   The ratio  of consolidated  earnings  to fixed  charges is  calculated  by
      dividing  the sum of  income before income  tax (excluding pretax minority
      interest) and interest expense on debt, by interest expense on debt.
(2)   The ratio  of  consolidated earnings  to  interest on  debt  and  interest
      credited  on  investment products  is calculated  by  dividing the  sum of
      income before income tax  (excluding pre-tax minority interest),  interest
      expense  on debt and interest credited  on investment products, by the sum
      of interest expense on debt and interest credited on investment  products.
      Investment   products  include  products  such  as  guaranteed  investment
      contracts and annuities.
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
               DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF PROTECTIVE LIFE
 
   
    The Debt Securities offered hereby  are to be issued  in one or more  series
under  either (i) the  Senior Indenture, dated  as of June  1, 1994 (the "Senior
Indenture"), between Protective Life and The  Bank of New York, as Trustee  (the
"Trustee")  or (ii) the  Subordinated Indenture, dated  as of June  1, 1994 (the
"Subordinated  Indenture"  and,   together  with  the   Senior  Indenture,   the
"Indentures"),  between Protective Life  and AmSouth Bank  NA, as trustee (also,
the "Trustee"),  the  forms  of  which  have  been  filed  as  exhibits  to  the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
    
 
    The  statements herein  relating to  the Debt  Securities and  the following
summaries of certain provisions of the Indentures do not purport to be  complete
and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the
provisions  of the Indentures (as they may  be amended or supplemented from time
to time), including the definitions therein of certain terms capitalized in this
Prospectus. Whenever particular Sections or defined terms of the Indentures  (as
they may be amended or supplemented from time to time) are referred to herein or
in  a Prospectus  Supplement, such  Sections or  defined terms  are incorporated
herein or therein by reference.
 
GENERAL
 
    The Debt Securities will  be unsecured obligations  of Protective Life.  The
Debt  Securities issued  under the Senior  Indenture will be  unsecured and will
rank PARI  PASSU with  all  other unsecured  and unsubordinated  obligations  of
Protective  Life. The  Debt Securities  issued under  the Subordinated Indenture
will be subordinate  and junior in  right of payment  to the extent  and in  the
manner  set forth  in the Subordinated  Indenture to all  Senior Indebtedness of
Protective Life. See  "-- Subordination under  the Subordinated Indenture."  The
Indentures  do not limit  the aggregate amount  of Debt Securities  which may be
issued thereunder, nor do they limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured
or unsecured debt of Protective Life.
 
    Reference is  made  to  the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  which  will
accompany  this  Prospectus for  a description  of the  specific series  of Debt
Securities being  offered  thereby,  including:  (1)  the  title  of  such  Debt
Securities;  (2)  any limit  upon the  aggregate principal  amount of  such Debt
Securities; (3) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any,
on such Debt Securities will  mature or the method  of determining such date  or
dates; (4) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which such Debt
Securities will bear interest, if any, or the method of calculating such rate or
rates;  (5) the date  or dates from which  interest, if any,  will accrue or the
method by which such date or dates will be determined; (6) the date or dates  on
which  interest, if any, will be payable  and the record date or dates therefor;
(7) the place or places  where principal of, premium,  if any, and interest,  if
any,  on such Debt Securities will be  payable; (8) the period or periods within
which, the  price or  prices at  which, the  currency or  currencies  (including
currency  unit or units) in which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such
Debt Securities  may  be  redeemed, in  whole  or  in part,  at  the  option  of
Protective  Life; (9) the  obligation, if any,  of Protective Life  to redeem or
purchase such  Debt  Securities  pursuant  to  any  sinking  fund  or  analogous
provisions  or upon the happening of a specified event and the period or periods
within which, the price or  prices at which and  the other terms and  conditions
upon  which, such Debt Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in
part, pursuant to such  obligations; (10) the denominations  in which such  Debt
Securities  are authorized to be issued; (11)  the currency or currency unit for
which Debt  Securities may  be purchased  or  in which  Debt Securities  may  be
denominated  and/  or the  currency or  currencies  (including currency  unit or
units) in which principal  of, premium, if  any, and interest,  if any, on  such
Debt  Securities will be payable  and whether Protective Life  or the holders of
any such Debt Securities may elect to  receive payments in respect of such  Debt
Securities  in a currency  or currency unit  other than that  in which such Debt
Securities are stated  to be payable;  (12) if other  than the principal  amount
thereof,  the portion of the principal amount of such Debt Securities which will
be payable upon declaration of the  acceleration of the maturity thereof or  the
method  by which such portion  shall be determined; (13)  the person to whom any
interest on any such Debt Security shall be payable if other than the person  in
whose  name such Debt Security is registered on the applicable record date; (14)
any addition to, or  modification or deletion  of, any Event  of Default or  any
covenant of Protective Life
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
specified  in  the Indenture  with  respect to  such  Debt Securities;  (15) the
application, if any, of such means  of defeasance or covenant defeasance as  may
be  specified for such Debt Securities; (16) whether such Debt Securities are to
be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more temporary or  permanent
global  securities and, if  so, the identity  of the depository  for such global
security or securities; and (17) any other special terms pertaining to such Debt
Securities. (Section 3.1 of each  Indenture.) Unless otherwise specified in  the
applicable  Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will not be listed on any
securities exchange.
 
    Unless otherwise  specified in  the applicable  Prospectus Supplement,  Debt
Securities  will be issued in fully-registered  form without coupons. Where Debt
Securities of any series are issued in bearer form, the special restrictions and
considerations, including  special  offering restrictions  and  special  federal
income tax considerations, applicable to any such Debt Securities and to payment
on  and transfer and exchange  of such Debt Securities  will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Bearer Debt Securities will be transferable by
delivery. (Section 3.5 of each Indenture.)
 
    Debt Securities may  be sold at  a substantial discount  below their  stated
principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of
issuance  is below  market rates.  Certain federal  income tax  consequences and
special considerations applicable to any such Debt Securities will be  described
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
    If  the purchase price  of any of the  Debt Securities is  payable in one or
more foreign  currencies  or  currency  units or  if  any  Debt  Securities  are
denominated  in  one or  more foreign  currencies  or currency  units or  if the
principal of, premium, if any,  or interest, if any,  on any Debt Securities  is
payable  in one or more foreign  currencies or currency units, the restrictions,
elections, certain federal income tax  considerations, specific terms and  other
information  with  respect to  such issue  of Debt  Securities and  such foreign
currency or  currency units  will  be set  forth  in the  applicable  Prospectus
Supplement.
 
    The  general provisions of the Indentures do  not afford holders of the Debt
Securities protection in the  event of a highly  leveraged or other  transaction
involving  Protective  Life  that  may  adversely  affect  holders  of  the Debt
Securities.
 
PAYMENT, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
    Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,  payments
in respect of the Debt Securities will be made in the designated currency at the
office  or agency of  Protective Life maintained for  that purpose as Protective
Life may designate from time to time,  except that, at the option of  Protective
Life,  interest payments, if any,  on Debt Securities in  registered form may be
made (i) by checks mailed to the holders of Debt Securities entitled thereto  at
their  registered addresses or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by
the person entitled thereto as specified  in the Register. (Sections 3.7(a)  and
9.2  of each Indenture.) Unless otherwise  indicated in an applicable Prospectus
Supplement, payment  of  any  installment  of interest  on  Debt  Securities  in
registered  form will be made to the person  in whose name such Debt Security is
registered at  the  close  of business  on  the  regular record  date  for  such
interest. (Section 3.7(a) of each Indenture.)
 
    Payment  in respect of  Debt Securities in  bearer form will  be made in the
currency and in the manner designated  in the Prospectus Supplement, subject  to
any  applicable laws and regulations, at such paying agencies outside the United
States as  Protective Life  may appoint  from time  to time.  The paying  agents
outside the United States initially appointed by Protective Life for a series of
Debt  Securities will be named in the Prospectus Supplement. Protective Life may
at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any
paying agents,  except that,  if Debt  Securities of  a series  are issuable  as
Registered Securities, Protective Life will be required to maintain at least one
paying agent in each Place of Payment for such series and, if Debt Securities of
a  series are issuable as Bearer Securities, Protective Life will be required to
maintain a paying agent in  a Place of Payment  outside the United States  where
Debt  Securities  of such  series and  any coupons  appertaining thereto  may be
presented and surrendered for payment. (Section 9.2 of each Indenture.)
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    Unless otherwise  provided in  the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  Debt
Securities in registered form will be transferable or exchangeable at the agency
of  Protective Life maintained for such purpose as designated by Protective Life
from time to time. (Sections 3.5 and 9.2 of each Indenture.) Debt Securities may
be transferred or exchanged without service charge, other than any tax or  other
governmental  charge  imposed  in  connection therewith.  (Section  3.5  of each
Indenture.)
 
GLOBAL DEBT SECURITIES
 
    The Debt Securities of  a series may be  issued in whole or  in part in  the
form  of one  or more fully  registered global securities  (a "Registered Global
Security") that will be deposited with a depository (the "Depository") or with a
nominee for the Depository identified  in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement.
In  such a case,  one or more Registered  Global Securities will  be issued in a
denomination or aggregate denominations  equal to the  portion of the  aggregate
principal  amount of outstanding Debt Securities of the series to be represented
by  such  Registered  Global  Security  or  Securities.  (Section  3.3  of  each
Indenture.)  Unless  and until  it is  exchanged in  whole or  in part  for Debt
Securities in definitive certificated form, a Registered Global Security may not
be transferred  or  exchanged except  as  a whole  by  the Depository  for  such
Registered  Global Security to a  nominee of such Depository  or by a nominee of
such Depository to such Depository or  another nominee of such Depository or  by
such Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository for such series or
a nominee of such successor Depository and except in the circumstances described
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 3.5 of each Indenture.)
 
    The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to any portion
of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a Registered Global Security
will  be  described in  the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement.  Protective Life
expects that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.
 
    Upon the issuance of any Registered Global Security, and the deposit of such
Registered Global  Security  with  or  on behalf  of  the  Depository  for  such
Registered  Global  Security,  the  Depository will  credit,  on  its book-entry
registration and transfer system, the  respective principal amounts of the  Debt
Securities  represented by  such Registered Global  Security to  the accounts of
institutions ("participants")  that have  accounts with  the Depository  or  its
nominee.  The accounts to be credited will  be designated by the underwriters or
agents engaging in  the distribution of  such Debt Securities  or by  Protective
Life,  if such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by Protective Life.
Ownership of  beneficial  interests in  a  Registered Global  Security  will  be
limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants.
Ownership  of  beneficial interests  by participants  in such  Registered Global
Security will be shown on, and the transfer of such beneficial interests will be
effected only through, records maintained by the Depository for such  Registered
Global  Security or  by its nominee.  Ownership of beneficial  interests in such
Registered Global Security  by persons  that hold through  participants will  be
shown on, and the transfer of such beneficial interests within such participants
will be effected only through, records maintained by such participants. The laws
of  some  jurisdictions  require  that  certain  purchasers  of  securities take
physical delivery  of  such  securities  in  certificated  form.  The  foregoing
limitations  and  such  laws  may  impair  the  ability  to  transfer beneficial
interests in such Registered Global Securities.
 
    So long as the Depository for a Registered Global Security, or its  nominee,
is  the registered owner of such  Registered Global Security, such Depository or
such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of
the Debt  Securities represented  by  such Registered  Global Security  for  all
purposes under each Indenture. (Section 3.8 of each Indenture.) Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and except as specified below,
owners  of beneficial interests  in such Registered Global  Security will not be
entitled to have Debt  Securities of the series  represented by such  Registered
Global  Security registered in their  names, will not receive  or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of Debt Securities of such series in certificated form
and will  not be  considered the  holders  thereof for  any purposes  under  the
relevant  Indenture. (Section 3.5  of each Indenture.)  Accordingly, each person
owning a beneficial  interest in such  Registered Global Security  must rely  on
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
the  procedures of the Depository  and, if such person  is not a participant, on
the procedures of the participant through  which such person owns its  interest,
to  exercise any rights of a holder under the relevant Indenture. The Depository
may grant  proxies and  otherwise authorize  participants to  give or  take  any
request,  demand,  authorization, direction,  notice,  consent, waiver  or other
action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the relevant  Indenture.
Protective   Life  understands  that,  under  existing  industry  practices,  if
Protective Life requests  any action  of holders or  any owner  of a  beneficial
interest  in such Registered Global Security desires  to give any notice or take
any action a holder is  entitled to give or  take under the relevant  Indenture,
the Depository would authorize the participants to give such notice or take such
action,  and participants would authorize  beneficial owners owning through such
participants to give such notice or take such action or would otherwise act upon
the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
 
    Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments
with respect  to principal,  premium, if  any,  and interest,  if any,  on  Debt
Securities represented by a Registered Global Security registered in the name of
a  Depository or its nominee will be made  to such Depository or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the registered owner of such Registered Global Security.
 
    Protective  Life  expects  that  the  Depository  for  any  Debt  Securities
represented  by a  Registered Global  Security, upon  receipt of  any payment of
principal, premium or interest,  will immediately credit participants'  accounts
with  payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests
in the  principal amount  of such  Registered Global  Security as  shown on  the
records  of  such  Depository. Protective  Life  also expects  that  payments by
participants to  owners  of  beneficial  interests  in  such  Registered  Global
Security   held  through  such   participants  will  be   governed  by  standing
instructions and customary  practices, as is  now the case  with the  securities
held for the accounts of customers registered in "street names", and will be the
responsibility  of such  participants. None  of Protective  Life, the respective
Trustees or any agent of Protective  Life or the respective Trustees shall  have
any  responsibility or liability  for any aspect  of the records  relating to or
payments made  on  account  of  beneficial  interests  of  a  Registered  Global
Security,  or for maintaining, supervising or  reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial interests. (Section 3.8 of each Indenture.)
 
    Unless otherwise specified in the  applicable Prospectus Supplement, if  the
Depository  for any Debt Securities represented  by a Registered Global Security
notifies Protective  Life  that  it  is  unwilling  or  unable  to  continue  as
Depository and a successor Depository is not appointed by Protective Life within
90  days,  Protective  Life  will  issue  such  Debt  Securities  in  definitive
certificated form in exchange for such Registered Global Security. In  addition,
Protective Life may at any time and in its sole discretion determine not to have
any  of the Debt  Securities of a  series represented by  one or more Registered
Global Securities and, in such event, will issue Debt Securities of such  series
in  definitive certificated  form in exchange  for all of  the Registered Global
Security or Securities representing such  Debt Securities. (Section 3.5 of  each
Indenture.)
 
    The  Debt Securities of a series  may also be issued in  whole or in part in
the form of one  or more bearer global  securities (a "Bearer Global  Security")
that will be deposited with a depository, or with a nominee for such depository,
identified  in  the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement. Any  such  Bearer Global
Securities may be issued  in temporary or permanent  form. (Section 3.4 of  each
Indenture.)  The specific terms and procedures,  including the specific terms of
the depository arrangement,  with respect  to any portion  of a  series of  Debt
Securities  to be represented  by one or  more Bearer Global  Securities will be
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE BY PROTECTIVE LIFE
 
    Protective  Life  shall  not  consolidate  with  or  merge  into  any  other
corporation  or sell  its assets  substantially as  an entirety,  unless (i) the
corporation formed by such consolidation or into which Protective Life is merged
or the corporation which acquires its  assets is organized in the United  States
and  expressly  assumes all  of the  obligations of  Protective Life  under each
Indenture, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no  Default
or  Event of Default  shall have happened and  be continuing and  (iii) if, as a
result of  such  transaction, properties  or  assets of  Protective  Life  would
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
become  subject  to  a  mortgage,  pledge,  lien,  security  interest  or  other
encumbrance not permitted by the Debt Securities of any series, Protective  Life
or  its  successor shall  take steps  necessary to  secure such  Debt Securities
equally and  ratably  with  all  indebtedness secured  thereby.  Upon  any  such
consolidation,  merger  or  sale,  the  successor  corporation  formed  by  such
consolidation, or into which Protective Life is merged or to which such sale  is
made,  shall  succeed to,  and  be substituted  for  Protective Life  under each
Indenture. (Section 7.1 of each Indenture.)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND CERTAIN RIGHTS ON DEFAULT
 
    Each Indenture  provides that,  if  an Event  of Default  specified  therein
occurs  with respect to the Debt Securities of any series and is continuing, the
Trustee for such series or the holders  of 25% in aggregate principal amount  of
all  of the  outstanding Debt  Securities of that  series, by  written notice to
Protective Life (and to the Trustee for such series, if notice is given by  such
holders  of Debt  Securities), may  declare the  principal of  (or, if  the Debt
Securities of  that series  are Original  Issue Discount  Securities or  Indexed
Securities,  such portion  of the principal  amount specified  in the Prospectus
Supplement) and accrued interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be
due and  payable  (provided, with  respect  to any  Debt  Securities  (including
Subordinated  Debentures)  issued  under the  Subordinated  Indenture,  that the
payment  of  principal  and  interest  on  such  Debt  Securities  shall  remain
subordinated   to  the  extent  provided  in  Article  12  of  the  Subordinated
Indenture). (Section 5.2 of each Indenture.)
 
    Events of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series are  defined
in  each Indenture as being: (a) default for  30 days in payment of any interest
on any Debt Security of  that series or any  coupon appertaining thereto or  any
additional  amount payable  with respect  to Debt  Securities of  such series as
specified in  the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement when  due; (b)  default  in
payment  of  principal, or  premium, if  any,  at maturity  or on  redemption or
otherwise, or in  the making of  a mandatory  sinking fund payment  of any  Debt
Securities  of that  series when due;  (c) default  for 60 days  after notice to
Protective Life by  the Trustee for  such series, or  by the holders  of 25%  in
aggregate   principal  amount  of  the  Debt  Securities  of  such  series  then
outstanding, in the performance of any other agreement in the Debt Securities of
that series,  in  the  Indenture  or in  any  supplemental  indenture  or  board
resolution  referred to therein  under which the Debt  Securities of that series
may  have  been  issued;  (d)  default  in  payment  of  principal  relating  to
indebtedness  of Protective Life and  its consolidated subsidiaries for borrowed
money having  an aggregate  principal  amount exceeding  $25 million,  or  other
default  resulting in  acceleration of indebtedness  of Protective  Life and its
consolidated subsidiaries  for  borrowed  money where  the  aggregate  principal
amount so accelerated exceeds $25 million and such acceleration is not rescinded
or  annulled within 30 days after the  written notice thereof to Protective Life
by the Trustee or to  Protective Life and the Trustee  by the holders of 25%  in
aggregate   principal  amount  of  the  Debt  Securities  of  such  series  then
outstanding, PROVIDED that  such Event  of Default  will be  remedied, cured  or
waived  if the default that resulted in the acceleration of such indebtedness is
remedied, cured or waived; and (e)  certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency  or
reorganization  of Protective Life or Protective Life Insurance. (Section 5.1 of
each Indenture.) Events of  Default with respect to  a specified series of  Debt
Securities  may be added to the Indenture and, if so added, will be described in
the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement.  (Sections  3.1  and  5.1(7)  of   each
Indenture.)
 
    Each  Indenture provides  that the  Trustee will,  within 90  days after the
occurrence of a Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series,  give
to  the holders  of the Debt  Securities of  that series notice  of all Defaults
known to it unless such Default shall  have been cured or waived; PROVIDED  that
except  in the  case of  a Default  in payment  on the  Debt Securities  of that
series, the Trustee  may withhold  the notice  if and so  long as  the board  of
directors  of Protective Life, the executive committee thereof or a committee of
its Responsible Officers in good  faith determines that withholding such  notice
is  in  the interests  of the  holders of  the Debt  Securities of  that series.
(Section 6.6 of each  Indenture.) "Default" means any  event which is, or  after
notice  or passage of time or both, would  be, an Event of Default. (Section 1.1
of each Indenture.)
 
    Each Indenture  provides  that  the  holders  of  a  majority  in  aggregate
principal  amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected (with each such
series   voting    as   a    class)   may,    subject   to    certain    limited
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
conditions,  direct the time, method and  place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Trustee for such series, or exercising any trust  or
power conferred on such Trustee. (Section 5.8 of each Indenture.)
 
    Each  Indenture includes a covenant that  Protective Life will file annually
with the  Trustee a  certificate as  to Protective  Life's compliance  with  all
conditions and covenants of such Indenture. (Section 9.5 of each Indenture.)
 
    The  holders of a  majority in aggregate  principal amount of  any series of
Debt Securities by written notice to the  Trustee for such series may waive,  on
behalf of the holders of all Debt Securities of such series, any past Default or
Event  of Default  with respect  to that  series and  its consequences  except a
Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any,
or interest, if any, on any Debt Security. (Section 5.7 of each Indenture.)
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
 
    Each Indenture  contains  provisions  permitting  Protective  Life  and  the
Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures without the consent of
the  holders  of  any  of the  Debt  Securities  in order  (i)  to  evidence the
succession of another corporation to Protective  Life and the assumption of  the
covenants  of Protective Life by a successor  to Protective Life; (ii) to add to
the covenants of Protective Life or  surrender any right or power of  Protective
Life;  (iii) to add additional  Events of Default with  respect to any series of
Debt Securities;  (iv)  to  add or  change  any  provisions to  such  extent  as
necessary  to permit  or facilitate  the issuance  of Debt  Securities in bearer
form; (v) to change  or eliminate any provision  affecting only Debt  Securities
not  yet issued; (vi) to secure the Debt Securities; (vii) to establish the form
or terms  of Debt  Securities;  (viii) to  evidence  and provide  for  successor
Trustees; (ix) if allowed without penalty under applicable laws and regulations,
to  permit payment in  respect of Debt  Securities in bearer  form in the United
States; (x) to correct any defect  or supplement any inconsistent provisions  or
to  make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
such Indenture or to  cure any ambiguity or  correct any mistake, PROVIDED  that
any  such action does not  adversely affect the interests  of any holder of Debt
Securities of any series; or (xi) in the case of the Subordinated Indenture,  to
modify  the  subordination provisions  thereof in  a manner  not adverse  to the
holders  of  Subordinated  Debentures  of  any  series  (and  in  the  case   of
Subordinated   Debentures  issued  in  return  for  the  proceeds  of  Preferred
Securities of  any  series,  not  adverse  to  the  holders  of  such  Preferred
Securities). (Section 8.1 of each Indenture.)
 
    Each  Indenture also contains provisions  permitting Protective Life and the
Trustee, with the consent  of the holders of  a majority in aggregate  principal
amount  of  the  outstanding  Debt  Securities  affected  by  such  supplemental
indenture (with  the Debt  Securities of  each  series voting  as a  class),  to
execute  supplemental  indentures  adding  any  provisions  to  or  changing  or
eliminating any  of  the  provisions  of  such  Indenture  or  any  supplemental
indenture  or modifying  the rights  of the holders  of Debt  Securities of such
series, except that, without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security  so
affected, no such supplemental indenture may: (i) change the time for payment of
principal  or premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security; (ii) reduce the
principal of,  or  any installment  of  principal of,  or  premium, if  any,  or
interest  on any Debt Security, or change the  manner in which the amount of any
of the foregoing  is determined;  (iii) reduce the  amount of  premium, if  any,
payable  upon the  redemption of  any Debt Security;  (iv) reduce  the amount of
principal payable  upon  acceleration of  the  maturity of  any  Original  Issue
Discount  or Indexed Security; (v) change the currency or currency unit in which
any Debt Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable; (vi) impair the
right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to
any Debt  Security; (vii)  reduce  the percentage  in  principal amount  of  the
outstanding  Debt Securities  affected thereby the  consent of  whose holders is
required for  modification or  amendment  of such  Indenture  or for  waiver  of
compliance  with certain  provisions of the  Indenture or for  waiver of certain
defaults; (viii) change the obligation of Protective Life to maintain an  office
or  agency in the places and for  the purposes specified in such Indenture; (ix)
in the case of the  Subordinated Indenture, modify the subordination  provisions
thereof  in a manner  adverse to the  holders of Subordinated  Debentures of any
series (and  in  the  case  of Subordinated  Debentures  issued  in  return  for
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
the  proceeds of Preferred Securities  of any series, adverse  to the holders of
such Preferred Securities); or (x) modify  the provisions relating to waiver  of
certain  defaults  or any  of  the foregoing  provisions.  (Section 8.2  of each
Indenture.)
 
SUBORDINATION UNDER THE SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
 
    In the Subordinated Indenture, Protective Life will covenant and agree  that
any  Debt  Securities  (including  Subordinated  Debentures)  issued  thereunder
("Subordinated Debt Securities") are subordinate and junior in right of  payment
to all Senior Indebtedness to the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture.
The  Subordinated  Indenture  defines  the  term  "Senior  Indebtedness"  as the
principal, premium, if any, and interest  on (i) all indebtedness of  Protective
Life,  whether  outstanding on  the date  of the  issuance of  Subordinated Debt
Securities or  thereafter  created, incurred  or  assumed, which  is  for  money
borrowed,  or evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with
the acquisition of  any business,  properties or  assets, including  securities,
(ii)  any indebtedness of others of the  kinds described in the preceding clause
(i) for  the  payment of  which  Protective Life  is  responsible or  liable  as
guarantor or otherwise and (iii) amendments, renewals, extensions and refundings
of  any such indebtedness, unless in any instrument or instruments evidencing or
securing such indebtedness or pursuant to  which the same is outstanding, or  in
any  such amendment, renewal,  extension or refunding,  it is expressly provided
that such indebtedness is not superior in right of payment to Subordinated  Debt
Securities. The Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and
entitled  to the  benefits of the  subordination provisions  irrespective of any
amendment, modification or  waiver of  any term  of the  Senior Indebtedness  or
extension or renewal of the Senior Indebtedness.
 
    If (i) Protective Life defaults in the payment of any principal, or premium,
if  any, or interest  on any Senior  Indebtedness when the  same becomes due and
payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or declaration or
otherwise or  (ii)  an  event of  default  occurs  with respect  to  any  Senior
Indebtedness  permitting the holders thereof  to accelerate the maturity thereof
and written  notice  of such  event  of  default (requesting  that  payments  on
Subordinated  Debt Securities cease) is given  to Protective Life by the holders
of Senior Indebtedness, then unless and  until such default in payment or  event
of  default shall have  been cured or waived  or shall have  ceased to exist, no
direct or  indirect payment  (in cash,  property or  securities, by  set-off  or
otherwise)  shall be made  or agreed to  be made on  account of the Subordinated
Debt Securities or interest thereon or in respect of any repayment,  redemption,
retirement, purchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
    In  the event of (i)  any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation,
reorganization, readjustment, composition or  other similar proceeding  relating
to  Protective Life, its creditors or its  property, (ii) any proceeding for the
liquidation, dissolution or  other winding-up of  Protective Life, voluntary  or
involuntary,  whether  or not  involving  insolvency or  bankruptcy proceedings,
(iii) any assignment by Protective Life for the benefit of creditors or (iv) any
other marshalling  of the  assets of  Protective Life,  all Senior  Indebtedness
(including,  without limitation, interest accruing after the commencement of any
such proceeding, assignment  or marshalling of  assets) shall first  be paid  in
full  before any payment  or distribution, whether in  cash, securities or other
property, shall  be made  by Protective  Life on  account of  Subordinated  Debt
Securities.  In any  such event, any  payment or distribution,  whether in cash,
securities or other property  (other than securities of  Protective Life or  any
other  corporation provided for  by a plan of  reorganization or a readjustment,
the payment of  which is subordinate,  at least  to the extent  provided in  the
subordination  provisions  of the  Subordinated  Indenture with  respect  to the
indebtedness evidenced by Subordinated  Debt Securities, to  the payment of  all
Senior  Indebtedness at  the time  outstanding and  to any  securities issued in
respect thereof under any  such plan of  reorganization or readjustment),  which
would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable
in  respect  of  Subordinated Debt  Securities  (including any  such  payment or
distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any
other indebtedness  of Protective  Life  being subordinated  to the  payment  of
Subordinated Debt Securities) shall be paid or delivered directly to the holders
of  Senior Indebtedness,  or to their  representative or  trustee, in accordance
with  the  priorities  then  existing  among  such  holders  until  all   Senior
Indebtedness shall have been paid in full. No present
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
or  future holder of any Senior Indebtedness shall be prejudiced in the right to
enforce  subordination  of  the  indebtedness  evidenced  by  Subordinated  Debt
Securities by any act or failure to act on the part of Protective Life.
 
    Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid in full unless the
holders  thereof shall have received cash, securities or other property equal to
the amount of  such Senior Indebtedness  then outstanding. Upon  the payment  in
full  of all  Senior Indebtedness, the  holders of  Subordinated Debt Securities
shall be subrogated to all the rights  of any holders of Senior Indebtedness  to
receive   any  further  payments  or  distributions  applicable  to  the  Senior
Indebtedness until  all Subordinated  Debt Securities  shall have  been paid  in
full,  and such payments or distributions received by any holder of Subordinated
Debt Securities, by  reason of such  subrogation, of cash,  securities or  other
property  which otherwise would be paid or  distributed to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, shall, as between Protective Life and its creditors other than the
holders of Senior Indebtedness, on the one hand, and the holders of Subordinated
Debt Securities, on the other, be deemed  to be a payment by Protective Life  on
account  of  Senior  Indebtedness,  and  not  on  account  of  Subordinated Debt
Securities.
 
    The  Subordinated  Indenture  provides  that  the  foregoing   subordination
provisions,  insofar as they relate to any particular issue of Subordinated Debt
Securities, may be  changed prior  to such issuance.  Any such  change would  be
described  in  the  Prospectus  Supplement relating  to  such  Subordinated Debt
Securities.
 
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
    If indicated in  the applicable Prospectus  Supplement, Protective Life  may
elect  either (i) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with
respect to the  Debt Securities  of or within  any series  (except as  otherwise
provided  in the relevant Indenture) ("defeasance")  or (ii) to be released from
its obligations  with  respect  to  certain covenants  applicable  to  the  Debt
Securities  of or  within any series  ("covenant defeasance"),  upon the deposit
with the  relevant Trustee  (or other  qualifying trustee),  in trust  for  such
purpose,  of money  and/or Government Obligations  which through  the payment of
principal and interest in accordance with  their terms will provide money in  an
amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to pay the principal of and any premium
or  interest on such Debt Securities to  Maturity or redemption, as the case may
be, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As a condition
to defeasance  or  covenant defeasance,  Protective  Life must  deliver  to  the
Trustee  an Officer's Certificate and  an Opinion of Counsel  to the effect that
the Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss  for
Federal  income  tax  purposes  as  a  result  of  such  defeasance  or covenant
defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and  in
the  same manner  and at  the same  times as  would have  been the  case if such
defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such Opinion of Counsel,  in
the case of defeasance under clause (i) above, must refer to and be based upon a
ruling  of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income
tax  law  occurring  after  the  date  of  the  relevant  Indenture.  Additional
conditions  to defeasance include (x) delivery by Protective Life to the Trustee
of an Officer's Certificate to the effect that neither such Debt Securities  nor
any  other Debt Securities of the same  series, if then listed on any securities
exchange, will be  delisted as  a result  of such  defeasance, (y)  no Event  of
Default  with  respect to  such  Debt Securities  or  any other  Debt Securities
occurring or  continuing at  the time  of such  defeasance or,  in the  case  of
certain  bankruptcy Events of Default,  at any time on or  prior to the 90th day
after the date of such defeasance and  (z) such defeasance not resulting in  the
trust  arising from  the deposit  of any  moneys in  respect of  such defeasance
constituting an  "investment  company"  within the  meaning  of  the  Investment
Company  Act unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from
registration thereunder.  (Article 4  of each  Indenture.) If  indicated in  the
applicable  Prospectus  Supplement, in  addition  to obligations  of  the United
States or  an  agency or  instrumentality  thereof, Government  Obligations  may
include  obligations of  the government or  an agency or  instrumentality of the
government issuing the  currency or currency  unit in which  Debt Securities  of
such series are payable. (Sections 1.1 and 3.1 of each Indenture.)
 
    In  addition, with  respect to  the Subordinated  Indenture, in  order to be
discharged  no  event  or  condition  shall  exist  that,  pursuant  to  certain
provisions described under "-- Subordination under the
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
Subordinated  Indenture"  above,  would  prevent  Protective  Life  from  making
payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Subordinated Debt
Securities and  coupons appertaining  thereto  at the  date of  the  irrevocable
deposit referred to above. (Section 4.6 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
 
    Protective Life may exercise its defeasance option with respect to such Debt
Securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If  Protective  Life  exercises  its defeasance  option,  payment  of  such Debt
Securities may not be accelerated because of  a Default or an Event of  Default.
If  Protective Life  exercises its covenant  defeasance option,  payment of such
Debt Securities may not  be accelerated by  reason of a Default  or an Event  of
Default  with  respect to  the covenants  to which  such covenant  defeasance is
applicable. However, if  such acceleration were  to occur by  reason of  another
Event of Default, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the money and
Government  Obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal
and interest then due on such Debt  Securities, in that the required deposit  in
the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow rather than market value,
which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.
 
THE TRUSTEES
 
    The Bank of New York is the Trustee under the Senior Indenture. AmSouth Bank
N.A.  is the Trustee under the  Subordinated Indenture. Protective Life may also
maintain banking and other  commercial relationships with  each of the  Trustees
and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
 
                DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF PROTECTIVE LIFE
 
AUTHORIZED AND OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK
 
    The  authorized  capital  stock  of Protective  Life  is  84,000,000 shares,
consisting of:
 
        (a) 3,850,000 shares of Preferred Stock,  par value $1.00 per share,  of
    which no shares are outstanding;
 
        (b)  150,000 shares of Junior  Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock,
    par value $1.00 per share (the "Junior Preferred Stock"), of which no shares
    are outstanding; and
 
        (c) 80,000,000 shares  of Common Stock,  par value $.50  per share  (the
    "Common Stock"), of which 13,702,958 shares were outstanding as of March 31,
    1994.
 
    In general, the classes of authorized capital stock are afforded preferences
with  respect to dividends and liquidation rights in the order listed above. The
Board of Directors  of Protective  Life is  empowered, without  approval of  the
stockholders,  to cause the Preferred Stock to  be issued in one or more series,
with the  numbers of  shares of  each  series and  the rights,  preferences  and
limitations of each series to be determined by it. The specific matters that may
be  determined by the Board of Directors include the dividend rights, conversion
rights, redemption rights  and liquidation  preferences, if any,  of any  wholly
unissued series of Preferred Stock (or of the entire class of Preferred Stock if
none  of such shares  have been issued),  the number of  shares constituting any
such series and the terms and conditions of the issue thereof. The  descriptions
set  forth  below do  not  purport to  be complete  and  are qualified  in their
entirety by reference to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Protective
Life, as amended (the "Restated Certificate of Incorporation").
 
    No holders of any class of  Protective Life's capital stock are entitled  to
preemptive rights.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The  particular  terms  of  any series  of  Preferred  Stock  offered hereby
("Offered Preferred  Stock") will  be  set forth  in the  Prospectus  Supplement
relating   thereto.  The  rights,   preferences,  privileges  and  restrictions,
including dividend rights,  voting rights, terms  of redemption and  liquidation
preferences,  of the  Offered Preferred  Stock of each  series will  be fixed or
designated pursuant to  a certificate  of designation  adopted by  the Board  of
Directors  or a duly authorized committee  thereof. The description of the terms
of a particular series of  Offered Preferred Stock that will  be set forth in  a
Prospectus  Supplement does not purport  to be complete and  is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the certificate of designation relating to such series.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The Junior Preferred  Stock may  be issued to  holders of  the Common  Stock
under  certain circumstances pursuant to  rights granted under Protective Life's
Rights Agreement, dated July 13, 1987, entered into with AmSouth Bank N.A.  (the
"Share Purchase Rights Plan"). Protective Life can redeem the rights at $.01 per
right  (subject  to adjustment  to reflect  any stock  split, stock  dividend or
similar transaction) until  the earlier  of July  28, 1997  (expiration date  of
rights) or ten business days following a public announcement that 20% or more of
the  Common Stock  has been  acquired by  one or  more associated  or affiliated
persons. If,  after  the  rights become  exercisable,  Protective  Life  becomes
involved  in a merger or certain  other major corporate transactions, each right
then outstanding (other  than those held  by the 20%  holder) would entitle  its
holder to buy from Protective Life or its successor Common Stock of the acquiror
or Protective Life or its successor worth twice the exercise price.
 
                 CERTAIN OTHER PROVISIONS OF PROTECTIVE LIFE'S
                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
 
    Protective  Life's Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation contains  a "fair
price" provision which generally  requires that certain "Business  Combinations"
with  a "Related Person" (generally the beneficial  owner of at least 20 percent
of Protective Life's voting  stock) be approved  by the holders  of at least  80
percent of Protective Life's voting stock and the holders of at least 67 percent
of  the voting stock held by stockholders other than such Related Person, unless
(a) the  transaction is  approved by  at  least a  majority of  the  "Continuing
Directors"  of  Protective Life,  or (b)  the Business  Combination is  either a
"Reorganization" or  a Business  Combination  in which  Protective Life  is  the
surviving corporation and, in either event, the cash or fair market value of the
property, securities or other consideration to be received per share as a result
of  the Business Combination by  holders of the Common  Stock of Protective Life
other than the Related Person is not less than the highest per share price (with
appropriate adjustments  for  recapitalizations  and  for  stock  splits,  stock
dividends  and like distributions) paid by  such Related Person in acquiring any
holdings of  Protective Life's  Common  Stock either  in  or subsequent  to  the
transaction  or series  of transactions  by reason  of which  the Related Person
became a Related Person. Protective Life's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
defines "Business Combination" as (i) any Reorganization of Protective Life or a
subsidiary of Protective Life, (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other
disposition, including  without  limitation  a pledge,  mortgage  or  any  other
security  device,  of all  or any  "Substantial  Part" of  the assets  either of
Protective Life or of  a subsidiary of Protective  Life, (iii) any sale,  lease,
exchange,  transfer or other disposition of all or any "Substantial Part" of the
assets of an entity to Protective Life or a subsidiary of Protective Life,  (iv)
the  issuance  of  any  securities  of  Protective  Life  or  any  subsidiary of
Protective Life except if  such issuance were a  stock split, stock dividend  or
other  distribution pro rata to  all holders of the  same class of voting stock,
(v) any  recapitalization or  reclassification of  Protective Life's  securities
(including any reverse stock split) that would have the effect of increasing the
voting  power  of an  entity and  (vi)  any agreement,  contract, plan  or other
arrangement providing for any of the transactions described in the definition of
Business Transaction. "Continuing Director"  is defined to  mean a director  who
was  a member of the Board of  Directors of Protective Life immediately prior to
the time such  Related Person  became a  Related Person.  "Substantial Part"  is
defined  as more than 20 percent of the fair market value of the total assets of
the corporation in question, as  determined in good faith  by a majority of  the
Continuing  Directors as of the end of  its most recent fiscal year ending prior
to the time the determination is being made. "Reorganization" is defined to mean
a merger, consolidation, plan of exchange,  sale of all or substantially all  of
the  assets (including,  as pertains  to a  subsidiary of  Protective Life, bulk
reinsurance or cession of  substantially all of its  policies and contracts)  or
other form of corporate reorganization pursuant to which shares of voting stock,
or other securities of the subject corporation, are to be converted or exchanged
into cash or other property, securities or other consideration.
 
GENERAL
 
    The  foregoing statements are  summaries of certain  provisions contained in
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Protective Life, the form of  which
is    filed    as    an    exhibit   to    the    Registration    Statement   of
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
which this Prospectus is a part. They  do not purport to be complete  statements
of  all the terms  and provisions of the  Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
and reference is hereby  made to the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation  for
full  and  complete  statements  of such  terms  and  provisions,  including the
definitions of certain terms  used herein. Whenever reference  has been made  to
the   Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  such  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation shall be deemed  to be incorporated in  such statements as a  part
thereof and such statements are qualified in their entirety by such reference.
 
    The transfer agent and registrar of the Common Stock is AmSouth Bank NA.
 
               DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES OF PLC CAPITAL
 
    PLC Capital is authorized to issue from time to time Preferred Securities in
one  or  more  series,  with  such  dividend  rights,  liquidation  preferences,
redemption provisions,  voting rights  and other  rights, powers  and duties  as
shall be established by the L.L.C. Agreement and written actions (the "Actions")
taken,  or to be taken, by the  Managing Member establishing such rights, powers
and duties (which Actions,  when taken, constitute  an amendment and  supplement
to,  and become a part of, the  L.L.C. Agreement). The L.L.C. Agreement has been
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms
a part, and a copy of the Action relating to Preferred Securities of any  series
will  be filed with the  Commission at or prior  to the time of  the sale of the
Preferred Securities  of such  series. Preferred  Securities will  be issued  in
registered form only.
 
    The  Managing Member is authorized, subject  to the provisions of the L.L.C.
Agreement, to establish by Actions for each series of Preferred Securities,  and
the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement shall  set  forth with  respect  to such
series: (i) the maximum number of Preferred Securities to constitute such series
and the distinctive designation thereof; (ii) the dividend rate, the  conditions
and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, the preference or relation
which  such dividends shall bear to the  dividends payable on any other class of
Membership Securities  or  on any  other  series of  Preferred  Securities,  and
whether  such dividends shall be cumulative  or noncumulative; (iii) whether the
Preferred Securities of such series shall be subject to redemption, and, if  so,
the times, prices and other terms and conditions thereof; (iv) the rights of the
holders of Preferred Securities of such series upon the dissolution, liquidation
or  winding-up  of PLC  Capital; (v)  whether the  Preferred Securities  of such
series shall be subject to a retirement or sinking fund, and, if so, the extent,
terms and  provisions  relative  to  the operation  thereof;  (vi)  whether  the
Preferred  Securities of any  series shall be  convertible into, or exchangeable
for, Membership Securities  of any other  class or series  or securities of  any
other  kind,  including  securities issued  by  Protective  Life or  any  of its
affiliates, and, if  so, the price  or rate  of conversion or  exchange and  any
method of adjusting the same; (vii) the limitations and restrictions, if any, to
be applicable while any Preferred Securities of such series are outstanding upon
the  payment of  dividends or  making of  other distributions  on, and  upon the
purchase, redemption or other acquisition  by PLC Capital of, Common  Securities
or  any other class  of Membership Securities  or any other  series of Preferred
Securities ranking junior to the Preferred  Securities of such series either  as
to dividends or upon liquidation; (viii) the conditions or restrictions, if any,
upon  the  creation of  indebtedness of  PLC Capital  or upon  the issue  of any
additional Membership Securities (including  additional Preferred Securities  of
such  series or of  any other series) ranking  on a parity with  or prior to the
Preferred Securities of such series as  to dividends or distributions of  assets
upon  liquidation; (ix)  the voting rights,  if any, of  Preferred Securities of
such series; and (x) any other relative  rights, powers and duties as shall  not
be  inconsistent with the L.L.C. Agreement. In connection with the foregoing the
Managing Member is  authorized to take  any action, including  amendment of  the
L.L.C.  Agreement,  without the  vote  or approval  of  any holder  of Preferred
Securities (other than the requisite vote or approval, if any, of holders of any
outstanding series of Preferred Securities to the extent provided in the  Action
relating to such series), including any Action to create under the provisions of
the  L.L.C. Agreement  a class  (or series  of a  class) or  group of Membership
Securities that was not previously outstanding.
 
    All Preferred Securities  of any  one series  shall be  identical with  each
other in all respects, except that Preferred Securities of any one series issued
at  different times  may differ as  to the  dates from which  dividends, if any,
thereon shall  be cumulative.  All  series of  Preferred Securities  shall  rank
equally and be
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
identical  in  all  respects,  except  as  permitted  by  the  L.L.C.  Agreement
provisions summarized in the preceding  paragraph, and all Preferred  Securities
shall  rank  senior to  the  Common Securities  both  as to  dividends  and upon
liquidation. The Common Securities  are also subject to  all the rights,  powers
and  duties  of  the  Preferred  Securities as  are  established  in  the L.L.C.
Agreement and as  shall be  established in any  Actions of  the Managing  Member
pursuant to the authority summarized in the preceding paragraph.
 
   DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN CONTRACTUAL BACK-UP OBLIGATIONS OF PROTECTIVE LIFE
 
THE GUARANTEE OF CERTAIN PAYMENTS
    Protective  Life, by an irrevocable and unconditional subordinated guarantee
(the "Guarantee"), will agree, to the limited extent set forth herein and in the
related Prospectus  Supplement, to  pay in  full, to  the holders  of  Preferred
Securities of any series, the Guarantee Payments (as defined below), as and when
due,  regardless  of any  defense, right  of set-off  or counterclaim  which PLC
Capital may have or assert. The Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment
and may  be  enforced  by  holders  of  Preferred  Securities  directly  against
Protective  Life. The following payments  to the extent not  made by PLC Capital
(the  "Guarantee  Payments")   will  be  subject   to  the  Guarantee   (without
duplication):  (i) any accumulated  and unpaid dividends  which have theretofore
been declared on the Preferred  Securities of such series  out of funds held  by
PLC Capital and legally available therefor; (ii) the redemption price (including
all  accumulated and unpaid  dividends whether or not  declared) payable, out of
funds held by PLC  Capital and legally available  therefor, with respect to  any
Preferred  Securities of such  series called for redemption  by PLC Capital; and
(iii) in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of PLC Capital,
the lesser of (a) the aggregate  of the liquidation preference of the  Preferred
Securities  of such series and all  accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or
not declared) to the date of payment  and (b) the amount of remaining assets  of
PLC Capital legally available to holders of Preferred Securities of such series.
In  addition, Protective Life will unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee, in
the  event  of  any  exchange  by  PLC  Capital  of  Preferred  Securities   for
Subordinated  Debentures  (to  the  extent  permitted  by  the  Action  for such
Preferred Securities), delivery of  certificates representing the proper  amount
of  such Subordinated Debentures in conformity  with the Action for such series.
Protective Life's obligation  to make a  Guarantee Payment may  be satisfied  by
direct  payment of  the required  amounts by Protective  Life to  the holders of
Preferred Securities  of such  series or  by  causing PLC  Capital to  pay  such
amounts  to  such holders.  The Prospectus  Supplement relating  to a  series of
Preferred Securities will describe  any additional covenants  or other terms  of
the  Guarantee with respect to  such series. The Guarantee  will rank PARI PASSU
with Subordinated Debentures and, accordingly, will be subordinate and junior in
right of  payment to  all Senior  Indebtedness  in a  manner identical  to  that
described   under  "Description  of  Debt   Securities  of  Protective  Life  --
Subordination under the Subordinated Indenture."
 
    THE GUARANTEE IS NOT A GUARANTEE  THAT ANY PARTICULAR DIVIDEND OR AMOUNT  ON
LIQUIDATION,  DISSOLUTION OR WINDING  UP WILL BE PAID;  RATHER, THE GUARANTEE IS
SOLELY A GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT  OF DIVIDENDS, IF ANY,  THAT ARE IN FACT  DECLARED
OUT  OF  FUNDS  HELD BY  PLC  CAPITAL  AND LEGALLY  AVAILABLE  THEREFOR,  OF THE
REDEMPTION PRICE PAYABLE, OUT OF FUNDS HELD BY PLC CAPITAL AND LEGALLY AVAILABLE
THEREFOR, WITH RESPECT  TO THE  PREFERRED SECURITIES  OF ANY  SERIES CALLED  FOR
REDEMPTION  BY PLC CAPITAL AND OF AMOUNTS, IF ANY, AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO
THE HOLDERS  OF  THE  PREFERRED  SECURITIES  OF  ANY  SERIES  UPON  LIQUIDATION,
DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP AFTER SATISFACTION OF ALL CREDITORS OF PLC CAPITAL.
 
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
    Protective  Life  will  issue  Subordinated  Debentures  to  PLC  Capital to
evidence the loans to be  made by PLC Capital of  the proceeds of (i)  Preferred
Securities  of  each  series  and (ii)  Common  Securities  and  related capital
contributions  ("Common  Securities   Payments").  See   "Description  of   Debt
Securities  of Protective Life" for a summary  of the material provisions of the
Subordinated Indenture, under which the Subordinated Debentures will be  issued.
References to provisions of the Subordinated Indenture in this Prospectus and in
the  relevant Prospectus Supplement are qualified in their entirety by reference
to the text of the Subordinated Indenture, a form of which has been filed as  an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. The
aggregate dollar amount of the Subordinated
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
Debentures  relating to Preferred Securities of any  series will be set forth in
the  Prospectus  Supplement  for  such  series  and  will  equal  the  aggregate
liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities of such series, together with
the related Common Securities Payments.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    Protective Life may sell any of the Debt Securities and Preferred Stock, and
PLC  Capital may sell any  of the Preferred Securities,  being offered hereby in
any one or more  of the following  ways from time to  time: (i) through  agents;
(ii)  to or  through underwriters; (iii)  through dealers; and  (iv) directly by
Protective Life or PLC Capital, as the case may be, to purchasers.
 
    The distribution of the Offered Securities may be effected from time to time
in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at
market prices  prevailing  at  the time  of  sale,  at prices  related  to  such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
 
    Offers  to purchase Offered Securities may be solicited by agents designated
by Protective Life or PLC  Capital, as the case may  be, from time to time.  Any
such agent involved in the offer or sale of the Offered Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by
Protective  Life  or  PLC  Capital to  such  agent  will be  set  forth,  in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in such  Prospectus
Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for
the  period  of  its  appointment.  Any  such  agent  may  be  deemed  to  be an
underwriter, as  that term  is defined  in the  Securities Act,  of the  Offered
Securities so offered and sold.
 
    If  Offered  Securities  are  sold by  means  of  an  underwritten offering,
Protective Life and/or PLC Capital  will execute an underwriting agreement  with
an  underwriter  or underwriters  at  the time  an  agreement for  such  sale is
reached, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters,  as
well  as any  other underwriters,  and the  terms of  the transaction, including
commissions, discounts  and  any  other compensation  of  the  underwriters  and
dealers,  if any, will be  set forth in the  Prospectus Supplement which will be
used by the underwriters to make resales of the Offered Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered to  the public. If underwriters are  utilized
in  the sale of  the Offered Securities  in respect of  which this Prospectus is
delivered, the Offered Securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their
own account and may  be resold from  time to time in  one or more  transactions,
including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying
prices determined by the underwriter at the time of sale. Offered Securities may
be  offered to the public either  through underwriting syndicates represented by
managing  underwriters  or  directly  by  the  managing  underwriters.  If   any
underwriter  or underwriters are utilized in the sale of the Offered Securities,
unless otherwise  indicated  in  the  Prospectus  Supplement,  the  underwriting
agreement  will provide that the obligations  of the underwriters are subject to
certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters with respect to a sale of
Offered Securities will be obligated to purchase all such Offered Securities  if
any are purchased.
 
    If  a dealer is utilized in the sale of the Offered Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered, Protective Life or PLC Capital, as the  case
may be, will sell such Offered Securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer
may  then resell such Offered  Securities to the public  at varying prices to be
determined by such dealer at the time  of resale. Any such dealer may be  deemed
to  be an  underwriter, as such  term is defined  in the Securities  Act, of the
Offered Securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and the terms  of
the transaction will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
    Offers   to  purchase  Offered  Securities  may  be  solicited  directly  by
Protective Life or PLC Capital, as the case may be, and the sale thereof may  be
made  by  Protective  Life or  PLC  Capital, as  the  case may  be,  directly to
institutional investors or others, who may  be deemed to be underwriters  within
the  meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms
of any  such sales  will  be described  in  the Prospectus  Supplement  relating
thereto.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    Agents,  underwriters and dealers may  be entitled under relevant agreements
with Protective Life and/or  PLC Capital to  indemnification by Protective  Life
and/or  PLC Capital against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act, or to contribution with  respect to payments which such  agents,
underwriters and dealers may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
    Agents, underwriters and dealers may be customers of, engage in transactions
with,  or perform services for, Protective  Life and its subsidiaries (including
PLC Capital) in the ordinary course of business.
 
    Offered Securities may  also be  offered and sold,  if so  indicated in  the
Prospectus  Supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in
accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise,
by one or more firms ("remarketing  firms"), acting as principals for their  own
accounts  or as agents for  Protective Life or PLC Capital,  as the case may be.
Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if  any,
with  Protective Life or PLC  Capital and its compensation  will be described in
the Prospectus Supplement. Remarketing firms  may be deemed to be  underwriters,
as  such term is defined  in the Securities Act,  in connection with the Offered
Securities  remarketed  thereby.  Remarketing   firms  may  be  entitled   under
agreements  which may be entered into with Protective Life to indemnification or
contribution by  Protective  Life  and/or  PLC  Capital  against  certain  civil
liabilities,  including  liabilities  under  the  Securities  Act,  and  may  be
customers of, engage  in transactions  with or perform  services for  Protective
Life  and its  subsidiaries (including  PLC Capital)  in the  ordinary course of
business.
 
    If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Protective Life  or
PLC  Capital, as the case may be,  may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers
to solicit offers by  certain institutions to  purchase Offered Securities  from
Protective  Life or  PLC Capital,  as the  case may  be, at  the public offering
prices set forth  in the  applicable Prospectus Supplement  pursuant to  delayed
delivery  contracts  ("Contracts")  providing  for  payment  and  delivery  on a
specified date or  dates. A  commission indicated in  the applicable  Prospectus
Supplement will be paid to underwriters, dealers and agents soliciting purchases
of Offered Securities pursuant to Contracts accepted by Protective Life.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
    Unless  otherwise  indicated in  the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement, the
validity of any Offered Securities offered  hereby and of the Guarantee and  the
Subordinated  Debentures  relating to  any Preferred  Securities of  PLC Capital
offered hereby  will be  passed upon  for  Protective Life  and PLC  Capital  by
Debevoise  &  Plimpton,  875  Third  Avenue, New  York,  New  York  and  for any
underwriters or agents by Sullivan &  Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New York,  New
York.  Debevoise  & Plimpton  and Sullivan  & Cromwell  may rely  upon Richards,
Layton &  Finger, P.A.,  special Delaware  counsel to  Protective Life  and  PLC
Capital, as to all matters of Delaware law relating to any Preferred Securities.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The  consolidated balance sheets of Protective  Life as of December 31, 1993
and 1992 and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholder's equity
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1993
and  the  related  financial  statement  schedules  which  are  incorporated  by
reference  or included in Protective  Life's Annual Report on  Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31,  1993 and which have  been incorporated by reference  in
this  Prospectus, have been incorporated herein in reliance on the report, which
includes an explanatory paragraph with  respect to changes in Protective  Life's
methods  of accounting for certain investments  in debt and equity securities in
1993 and  postretirement benefits  other than  pensions in  1992, of  Coopers  &
Lybrand, independent accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
 
    With  respect to the unaudited  interim financial information for Protective
Life Corporation and subsidiaries  for the three-month  periods ended March  31,
1994  and 1993  incorporated by  reference in  this Prospectus,  the independent
accountants  have  reported  that  they  have  applied  limited  procedures   in
accordance  with  professional  standards  for  a  review  of  such information.
However, their separate report included  in the Registration Statement of  which
this  Prospectus forms  a part states  that they did  not audit and  they do not
express an  opinion  on such  interim  financial information.  Accordingly,  the
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
degree  of reliance on their report on  such information should be restricted in
light of the limited  nature of the review  procedures applied. The  accountants
are  not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act
of 1933 for their report on the unaudited interim financial information  because
that report is not a "report" or a "part" of the Registration Statement prepared
or  certified by the accountants within the meaning  of Sections 7 and 11 of the
Act.
 
    The financial statements of Wisconsin National Life Insurance Company as  of
December  31, 1992 and  1991, and for each  of the years in  the two year period
ended December 31, 1992, incorporated by reference in or included in  Protective
Life's  Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 4, 1993, have been incorporated
herein  by  reference  in  reliance  upon  the  report  of  KPMG  Peat  Marwick,
independent  certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and
upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
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    NO  DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL  HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR  TO MAKE  ANY REPRESENTATIONS  NOT CONTAINED  OR INCORPORATED  BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFER  HEREUNDER AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION, PLC
CAPITAL  L.L.C.  OR  THE  UNDERWRITERS.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT  AND   THE
PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY  THE SERIES  A PREFERRED  SECURITIES IN  ANY JURISDICTION  WHERE, OR  TO ANY
PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO  MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER  THE
DELIVERY  OF  THIS PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT OR  THE PROSPECTUS  NOR ANY  SALE MADE
HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER  ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN  IMPLICATION
THAT  THERE  HAS  BEEN NO  CHANGE  IN THE  FACTS  SET FORTH  IN  THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION OR
PLC CAPITAL L.L.C. SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
                                ----------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                    -----
<S>                                              <C>
PLC Capital L.L.C..............................         S-3
Protective Life Corporation....................         S-3
Certain Investment Considerations..............         S-6
Capitalization of Protective Life..............         S-8
Use of Proceeds................................         S-8
Selected Consolidated Financial Data of
  Protective Life Corporation..................         S-9
Terms of the Series A Preferred Securities.....        S-11
Description of the Guarantee...................        S-21
Description of the Series A Subordinated
  Debentures...................................        S-22
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations......        S-26
ERISA Matters..................................        S-29
Underwriting...................................        S-30
Legal Opinions.................................        S-31
 
                  PROSPECTUS
Available Information..........................           2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference....................................           2
Protective Life Corporation....................           3
PLC Capital L.L.C. ............................           4
Use of Proceeds................................           4
Ratios of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed
  Charges......................................           4
Description of Debt Securities of Protective
  Life.........................................           5
Description of Capital Stock of Protective
  Life.........................................          13
Certain Other Provisions of Protective Life's
  Restated Certificate of Incorporation........          14
Description of Preferred Securities of PLC
  Capital......................................          15
Description of Certain Contractual Back-Up
  Obligations of Protective Life...............          16
Plan of Distribution...........................          17
Legal Opinions.................................          18
Experts........................................          18
</TABLE>
 
                         2,200,000 PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
                               PLC CAPITAL L.L.C.
 
                       GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH
                                   HEREIN BY
 
                          PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
 
   
                                 9% CUMULATIVE
                      MONTHLY INCOME PREFERRED SECURITIES,
                               SERIES A ("MIPS")
    
 
                                  -----------
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
                                  -----------
 
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                           DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
 
                             KIDDER, PEABODY & CO.
                                            INCORPORATED
 
                             THE ROBINSON-HUMPHREY
                                 COMPANY, INC.
 
                      REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS
 
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