(1) The department may accept signatures in an electronically reproduced format on claims filing forms and petitions for settlement. The document must bear an original, manual signature, but it may be transmitted to the department electronically. The document may be transmitted to the department by means of:

(a) a fax copy;

(b) a portable document format (.pdf copy), transmitted electronically;

(c) an electronic scan, transmitted electronically; or

(d) a photocopy.

(2) The department may, in its sole discretion, accept appropriately authenticated digital signatures on documents, except as provided in (4).

(3) An insurer may, at its discretion, require a document being submitted directly to it to bear an original manual signature.

(4) Electronically reproduced signatures are not accepted by the department for independent contractor exemption certificate applications or waivers, in order to ensure that all such signatures are genuine and made under oath as provided by law.