Home repairs to begin for 100-year-old Eaton Fire survivor after insurance dispute

ALTADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Repairs are set to begin on the home of a 100-year-old Eaton Fire survivor who was battling with her insurance company.

Mary McNair's family reached out to 7 On Your Side for help with her insurance coverage as she fights to move back into her home more than a year after the fire.

Mary is counting her blessings. The 100-year-old great, great, great, great grandmother is inching closer to being able to return to her treasured Altadena home.

"I'm so happy about this. Yes I am," Mary told ABC7.

A 100-year-old woman is out of her Altadena home due to the Eaton Fire and now she says that insurance is giving her the runaround.

Mary's granddaughter Darshana McNair said she's feeling very optimistic now.

"I just want to say thank you on behalf of the McNair family. We're thankful. We're grateful." Darshana said.

Mary's family reached out to Eyewitness News after fighting for insurance coverage from State Farm.

The centenarians' home of 60 years survived the deadly Eaton Fire but suffered extensive electrical damage due to the intense heat. Her garage burned to the ground.

"We hadn't heard anything. It was like three, four weeks almost - we weren't even getting any calls back," Mary's son Ernest McNair III said.

There was no response and very little money to rewire the home and make it safe.

"To do this was about $30,000. Well, they went from $2,000, like my daughter told you, to $18,000 after you guys had contacted them," Ernest said.

The family says they are still fighting for full coverage.

The insurance company previously said: "State Farm has been actively working with our customer and her contractor to provide all available benefits under her policy. We will continue to work with her and her contractor to address her concerns and reconcile any differences in estimates."

Mary's family believes the ongoing stress contributed to her stroke last year, affecting her speech, but say since ABC7's story, the generosity of others through a financial donation and gift of a new washer and dryer has boosted her spirits as she remains focused on one goal.

"All she wants is to be in her house," Darshana said. "She's designed this house to be when she got this age that she could be able to take care of herself here."

"It's wonderful. I'm so happy for it," Mary said.

Mary's contractor is expected to start work within the next week. Her family wants to make sure she's back home by July for her 101st birthday.