I don't think it's needed to point to ashquick, the IM module should scan anything generated through IM communications. As to hotmail, if you're using DeltaSync (protocol) in Windows Live Mail, avast mail scanner can't scan that. But the file shield will be watching
If you're only connecting to hotmail in a browser, the mail shield isn't involved, it only takes care of email clients. Hotmail in browsers is http traffic.