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?  

[Rod Hanks]

Quote from @James Albrecht:

Thanks for all the responses. To clarify, the insurance co. already made a payment for the actual cash value for the damages indicating that the rest of the approved funds would be dispersed upon completion of the repairs. What I've been told is that code requires replacing the decking and underlayment when there are gaps in the wood planks as is common with older homes and that because it is a code issue and my policy has code upgrade coverage the policy should cover whatever is necessary to be code compliant.  

Now that changes things. Ordinance or Law Coverage is standard in most property policies so if that’s the case you have a great argument for full replacement. Maybe get the city to come inspect and red tag it as needing repaired and present to adjustor. Definitely get your agent involved.