If applying online for an EHIC card (old E111) for free health treatment in the EU, be careful that you use the official NHS site. I nearly paid £19.99 then smelt a rat. Use the official site for a free form and allow ten working days.
Official NHS site for EHIC form:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx
Of course, travel insurance is still recommended but there is always a hefty excess to pay and minor treatment will be covered for free by the EHIC form. You pay for it in your social security payments so I recommend applying for a card for all members of your family who are travelling in the 27 EU countries plus all European Economic Area (EEA) countries, including Switzerland and Norway.
