Nationwide is increasing its focus on telematics with the hiring of a commercial telematics director to develop its usage-based insurance program for fleets, Digital Insurance reported. The Ohio-based property-casualty insurer hired Pete Frey, who worked for American Family, where he built a UBI program and oversaw product management for two telematics service providers focusing on fleet management and connected car platforms. Nationwide recently announced enhancements to its SmartRide usage-based insurance program for the consumer market. Working with insurtech TrueMotion, Nationwide is gathering information on drivers’ smartphone interaction while operating a car, getting insight into the frequency and types of distracted driving among policyholders. The company also announced a $100 million fund for insurtech investment last year. Frey has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and a management certificate in technology management and leadership from the Sloan School of Business. He has been a speaker and panelist at multiple telematics- and technology-related conferences, and has also served as an adviser on numerous strategic connected car industry-related efforts. He will be based at Nationwide’s Des Moines offices, according to his LinkedIn profile.