If your keys are stolen (not just lost), assume the thief now has your house address from your registration and may have your home keys too. The sequence of steps matters.
Step 1: File a police report immediately. This documents the timeline for insurance and creates a paper trail if anything is later used in a crime.
Step 2: For home keys, change the locks today — not tomorrow. The thief has hours of advantage. Locksmiths can rekey existing locks (cheaper than replacement) in 30–60 minutes.
Step 3: For car keys, the dealership can deactivate the old fob and program a new one. Cost varies wildly — $80 for older cars, $400+ for modern smart keys with proximity features.
Step 4: Update any digital records (smart-home apps, garage door codes, vehicle telematics). The thief might have used the keys to take photos of important paperwork in the car.
Lost keys (not stolen) follow a similar but less urgent procedure. If you're confident they're truly lost and not stolen, you can move slower — but still change house locks within a week.