No, the European Health Insurance Card is not an alternative to travel insurance.
It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property,
What is the European Health Insurance Card?
A free card that gives you access to public healthcare in another EU state for free or at a reduced rate. You can use it when you are travelling abroad or when you are staying temporarily in another EU State. The European Health Insurance card (EHIC) is issued by your national health insurance provider.
Important points about the card
1. It does not guarantee free services. As each country’s healthcare system is different services that cost nothing at home might not be free in another country.
2. It lasts for up to 4 years; you will need to apply to renew your card and you can renew online.
3. It will not cover you for healthcare outside of the EU, other than Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein (EEA) and Switzerland.
4. As Andorra and Monaco are not part of the EU or EEA, your EHIC is not accepted there. You should get private health insurance instead.
5. Each family member needs their own card.