Invoking appraisal clause of homeowner policy

[James Albrecht]

Has anyone requested an appraisal to resolve an insurance payment dispute on a claim?  (IE: If your contractor's estimate to complete repairs far exceeds what the insurance adjuster approves and the insurer won't budge).  Looking to get insights from anyone who has gone through this process. My understanding is that one can invoke the appraisal clause by demanding one in writing and having a 3rd party adjuster or contractor evaluate and write a report.  The insurer does the same and then the two come to some sort of an agreement to settle the dispute or it goes to an arbiter who makes the final call, which is binding.  Does anyone have recommendations from personal experience of who to hire to do the appraisal?