Will the EHIC ever replace Travel insurance

When planning their annual holiday many people think that, they do not need to purchase holiday insurance/travel insurance. But you should always take out an adequate holiday insurance policy. Why. Because then you will be fully covered if anything goes wrong.
People who do not bother to take out travel insurance will often say, if I need to see a doctor I can use my EHIC card (european health insurance card) And if the airline lose my suitcases I can claim from the airline at the airport, or if the travel company goes bust, I am covered by ATOL (Air Transport Organisers Licencing scheme)
All of the above are true, but they are not the whole truth.

Your EHIC card will not cover everything, as the level of care varies between each european country,so you might still have to pay for some services. and the card only covers medical treatment that may become necessary on your holiday, because of either illness or accident. and will not include many things that you would expect to get free on the NHS. If you were to be badly injured you would not be covered, to be flown home in an emergency.I am not saying that you should not take your EHIC card,but not everything is covered by your EHIC card.So you still need full holiday insurance too.

The EHIC card can also be used in some countries outside the European union.such as Australia,Russia, and New Zealand.

But most countries DO NOT have healthcare agreements with the U.K. Those who DO NOT include Turkey,Canada,U.S.A.,South America, the Middle East. Africa, most of Asia including India, Thailand Japan and Hong Kong most of the Pacific region except Australia and New Zealand.

Another thing many people do not realise, is that in some countries you must carry your EHIC card on your person at all times. If you were to have an accident, and had to be rushed to hospital for treatment, and you did not have your EHIC card with you at the time, you would be charged for the treatment, even if your card was back in your hotel room. You would still have to claim the money back when you returned home.

If your luggage were to go missing. You can ask for a PIR form. (property irregularity report) from the customer help desk in the baggage reclaim area, before leaving the airport.And if the airline does not find your missing baggage after 21 days,you may be able to claim compensation.But if you are just arriving at your resort, you will still need spending money for food, clothes, suntan cream, ect.So again you will still need travel insurance.

The final reason many people say they do not need holiday insurance, is if the tour company goes bust I can always get my money back from ATOL.
That is also true. as all package holidays that are booked in the U.K. and involve a flight are covered by ATOL. So you will be flown home and repatriated if your tour operator goes broke,while you are away on holiday.And you will be refunded if you have not flown out yet.However if you are booking your accommodation and flight separately, check to see if your flight is ATOL protected. If not you will still need. travel insurance.

The author contributes to the Find U.K.insurance website. An insurance advice website at http://www.findukinsurance.com . He also contributes to the Taba sun website. A website about the Red sea riviera resorts of Taba and Taba Heights in Egypt. at http://www.tabasun.co.uk