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There are many insurance companies that use OBD GPS trackers, as well as standalone trackers that plug in to the cigarette lighter, in order to charge based on mileage.

e.g. https://www.metromile.com/

They don't work well. I deal with them at work. The data is terrible.

What about wifi and cell networks? I've never looked into these devices, but surely that would be an easy way to get the general location of most cars.

Its certainly possible but these things are built to be dirt cheap.

I figured that they would use an app on your phone for GPS, accelerometer data, and gyro. The OBD adapter would just pull things like speed and be used to recognize that you're driving.

The Zubie receives GPS just fine.