Helmets - are they status symbols? (POLL ADDED)

[Provocateur]

I have a Vega Summit II helmet which cost less than R1000.  I have seen helmets for sale at ridiculous prices - bordering on R10000.  Just as sunglasses are overpriced - you pay for the name, is the same true of crash helmets?  
Are these expensive helmets safer?  Or are the pricier ones just status symbols?
Please comment - do I have a crappy helmet?

 

[Adventurer]

 

[Veldbrand]

 

[Dusty Rusty]

 

[RobCrouch]

 

[sef156]

 

[ShaunF]

 

[Dusty Rusty]

 

[Provocateur]

 

[Pleco]

 

[Wheelman]

 

[Dusty Rusty]

 

[forex618]

 

[Dusty Rusty]

 

[Dusty Rusty]

 

[Adventurer]

 

[Provocateur]

 

[Piston Pete]

 

[LuckyStriker]

 

[Provocateur]