Which of the following is considered an extended covered peril on a basic dwelling policy?

In the context of a basic dwelling policy, extended covered perils are typically those that go beyond the standard coverage included in such policies, which primarily cover specific risks such as fire, lightning, and internal explosions.

Windstorm or hail is considered an extended covered peril because it is not included in the basic peril list but can be added for increased protection. This means that while the basic coverage may not cover damages resulting from wind or hail, the policyholder has the option to include these perils under their coverage, thereby expanding their insurance protection against certain weather events.

Other options like theft, flood, and earthquake are not standard covered perils in a basic dwelling policy; thus, they typically require additional coverage or rider endorsements to be included. Flood is specifically notable as it is usually covered under a separate flood insurance policy, while theft and earthquake may also be covered under different or more advanced policy types but are not part of the basic dwelling coverage framework. Therefore, windstorm or hail stands out as a legitimate choice for an extended peril under a basic dwelling policy.