Many, if not all, are asking themselves, what now?

One of their first needs will be for financial assistance - cash - to keep them fed, clothed and sheltered, experts say.

"The first thing people should do is try and ring their insurance company," said RACV claims manager John Simpson. "That might be difficult because of the circumstance of this event but the first priority is to try get through to their insurance company."

Insurance companies can offer immediate financial assistance, temporary housing and even cash cards for food.

Mr Simpson said fire victims who had lost their home didn't have to worry about their mortgage repayments while their claims were being processed.

Banks generally contact mortgage holders after they have been paid out on their losses, he said.

"I would think in this particular circumstance, banks will be liberal in relation to chasing up their vested interest."

Mr Simpson said he expected authorities to take a flexible view on planning and building permits in the aftermath of the disaster.

So too with power, gas and other utilities companies.

Australian Power & Gas said it will offer financial and payment assistance to customers who have lost their homes or who are suffering financial hardship as a result of the bushfires.

"Due to the extent of the fires we have not yet been able to identify all customers impacted by the bushfires and would encourage any customer impacted by the bushfires to call our hotline number for assistance," the company'schief executive James Myatt said in a statement.

The power company's hotline is 1800 834 274.

RACV has disaster response teams on the ground, in Bendigo, at the Whittlesea Showgrounds and Traralgon South, Mr Simpson said.

The club is also trying put a station in Healesville, Mr Simpson said. The RACV's hotline is 13 09 13.