Short answer: Bombays are generally healthy, but the Cat Fanciers’ Association notes that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — the most common heart disease in cats — has been found in the breed. The average US accident-and-illness policy for a cat cost $435 a year, about $36 a month, in 2025, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). For a Bombay, prioritize heart (hereditary) cover, dental illness cover and a sensible annual limit, and enroll young.
Bombay cats don’t carry the long list of breed-specific conditions that shapes insurance planning for some pedigree breeds. That said, “generally healthy” doesn’t mean insurance is unnecessary — it changes what to prioritize in a policy.
Is the Bombay Cat’s Health Reputation Actually Accurate?
Mostly. The Bombay was developed in the 1960s by crossing black American Shorthairs with Burmese cats, and the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) says the breed is “considered quite healthy because of their hybrid ancestry.” It flags two things:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. CFA says HCM “has also been found in Bombays” and that responsible breeders test before breeding. The Cornell Feline Health Center calls HCM the most common heart disease of cats, lists American Shorthairs among the breeds where it’s more prevalent, and says it’s diagnosed by echocardiogram.
- Teary eyes that some Bombays need wiped regularly.
Because of the Burmese ancestry, the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists the Bombay among breeds for which it offers DNA tests for Burmese head defect (a severe skull malformation in kittens) and Burmese hypokalemia (episodes of muscle weakness from low potassium). These matter mainly when choosing a breeder: ask whether the parents were tested.
What Does Insurance Cost for a Bombay?
No insurer publishes a Bombay-specific average, so the best benchmark is the all-cat figure. NAPHIA’s averages for US cat accident-and-illness cover:
| Year | Average cat premium per year | About per month |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $383 | $32 |
| 2024 | $386 | $32 |
| 2025 | $435 | $36 |
The 2025 jump was 12.6%, faster than for dogs. Your quote will depend mainly on your cat’s age, your ZIP code, and the annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate you pick. See average pet insurance cost: dogs vs. cats and how much pet insurance costs per month.
Why Does Insurance Still Make Sense for a Healthy Breed?
Accidents, urinary problems, dental disease and cancer don’t depend on a breed’s reputation. Dental disease in particular is almost routine in adult cats: Cornell’s feline dental disease page says studies report 50–90% of cats older than four have some form of it. And older cats commonly develop chronic, costly conditions — see what treating kidney disease in cats really costs.
What Should Bombay Cat Owners Look for in a Policy?
| Priority | Why it matters for a Bombay | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Accident & illness cover | Covers the unpredictable events any cat can face | Waiting periods, exclusions |
| Hereditary/congenital cover | HCM has been found in the breed | That hereditary conditions are covered, not excluded or sold as a costly extra |
| Dental illness cover | Dental disease is very common in adult cats | Whether it’s included, an add-on, or conditional on yearly dental exams |
| Adequate annual limit | A heart workup plus lifelong medication adds up | Annual vs. per-condition caps |
| Pre-existing rules | Anything recorded before cover starts is excluded | Look-back period; whether curable conditions can be covered later |
Dental cover varies a lot between insurers. Embrace includes dental illness up to $1,000 a year with no dental exam required. Lemonade sells dental illness as an add-on with a $1,000 annual limit. Trupanion’s policy terms require a dental exam at least once every 365 days to keep dental illness covered. Routine cleanings are generally outside accident-and-illness cover.
On limits, a chronic heart condition is exactly where a low annual or per-condition cap runs out — see annual limit vs. per-incident pet insurance.
When Should You Enroll?
As early as you can — ideally as a kitten. Any heart murmur, eye or dental problem noted in the records before coverage starts (or during the waiting period) will be treated as pre-existing and excluded. See does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions. If your vet ever hears a murmur, ask whether an echocardiogram is recommended; Cornell notes that cats without symptoms can often live for years with only mildly affected heart function.
This article is general information, not insurance or financial advice, and does not replace guidance from your veterinarian. Premiums and policy terms change; check the policy wording before you buy.
Sources
- Cat Fanciers’ Association — Bombay breed profile, accessed September 2026
- Cornell Feline Health Center — Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, May 2025
- Cornell Feline Health Center — Feline Dental Disease, June 2017
- UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory — Burmese Head Defect and Burmese Hypokalemia, accessed September 2026
- North American Pet Health Insurance Association — State of the Industry Report 2026, June 2026; earlier figures from 2025 and 2024 releases
- Embrace Pet Insurance — Pet Insurance Coverage & Plans, accessed September 2026
- Lemonade — The Ultimate Lemonade Pet FAQ, September 2026, and pet homepage claim examples
- Trupanion — Insurer Disclosure of Important Policy Provisions (Florida), 2023
